Nurture Challenge Inspire

A local school for the local community

0118 214 3888

Train to Teach

Aiming High

English

Curriculum Intent

  • The Wren School English department is a creative collaborative team of subject specialists who aim high for their students and themselves.
  • We believe engaging dynamic lessons will prepare students for whichever path they choose to follow. To deliver this we expect teamwork, rigour and determination from all students and staff. A resilient student will contribute to their own learning as well as others.
  • At KS3, students are being prepared and also developing their passion for reading and writing.  Our focus at KS4 is not only preparing for GCSE success but also to develop lifelong readers and writers.

Key Stage 3 Description:

During years 7 and 8, students follow a thematic curriculum in English designed to prepare students for the rigour of GCSE English.  Across the two years, students sit an assessment each term and an exam at the end of the year, to support their teacher in tracking their progress:

 

Year 7 – Telling Stories

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Term 5 Term 6
Heroes

 

 

 

Writing focus

Coping with Change:

Class novel: Monster Calls, Coraline or Millions

 

Reading focus

Down with School

 

 

 

Reading focus

Climate Change

 

 

 

Writing focus

Inventions of the future

 

 

 

Writing/speaking focus

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 

 

Reading focus

 

Year 8 – Challenging Perspectives through Language

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Term 5 Term 6
Monsters and other things: gothic, age of enlightenment, romanticism

 

Writing focus

The Fight for Survival

Class novel: Hunger Games, Salt to the Sea,

Reading focus

WWI – how the world’s perspective changed

 

 

Reading focus

Travel writing

 

 

 

Writing focus

Flipping Perspectives – Noughts and Crosses

 

 

Reading focus

Changing perspectives through the art of persuasion – planning a sporting event

 

Writing/speaking focus

 

Year 9 – The Importance of the Audience

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Term 5 Term 6
Women in literature

The Bridge, The Yellow Wallpaper, Iridescent Adolescent,

 

 

Reading and writing

The Young Adult Audience:

And the Stars were Burning Brightly,

 

 

 

Reading focus

Shakespeare, film and audience: Romeo and Juliet

 

 

 

 

Reading focus

The enduring appeal of poetry – sonnets

 

 

 

 

Reading focus

Creative writing finding your own voice to appeal to the audience: draw together all themes eg comedy to present important ideas; love; violent

 

Writing focus

Using talk to convince your audience – rhetoric

 

GCSE speeches

 

 

 

Writing/speaking focus

 

Key Stage 4 Description:

During year 9 onwards, students prepare to learn the skills needed to study AQA English Language (8700) and AQA English Literature (8702).  Year 9 is a skills focused year, designed to bridge the transition to GCSE studies and prepare students for the rigour of GCSE literature in year 10 and revision and exam skills in year 11.

Year 10
19th Century Novel

Novel study paired with opportunities for creative writing and non-fiction reading.

19th Century Novel

Novel study paired with opportunities for creative writing and non-fiction reading.

Shakespeare Play

Shakespeare play paired with opportunities for creative reading of unseen poetry, writing and performance.

Shakespeare Play

Shakespeare play paired with opportunities for creative reading of unseen poetry, writing and performance.

Modern Novel

Study of a modern novel paired with creative and persuasive writing.

Modern Novel

Study of a modern novel paired with creative and persuasive writing.

Year 11
Consolidation, revision and examination preparation.

 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities:

Students in English have the opportunity to attend a variety of trips and visits throughout the year, attending creative writing workshops; guest author visits and excursions to encourage reading and writing inspiration.  Alongside these, there is the ever-popular book club, where students have the opportunity to read and discuss new and old books.  New for next year will be the opportunities for debate and media club, ensuring all students have the chance to express themselves.  Students are also regularly entered into competitions, with the opportunity to win prizes for their writing skills.

These will not run during COVID-19 restrictions.

Term Dates

2022-23

Term 3

Wed 4 Jan – Fri 10 Feb

Half term – Mon 13 Feb – Fri 17 Feb 2023

Term 4

Inset Day Mon 13 March 

Mon 20 Feb  – Fri 31 March

Half term – Mon 3 April 2023 – Fri 14 April 2023

SEE ALL DATES