English
Curriculum INTENT
Our intent in English at Wright Robinson College is to explore with our students the timeless and essentially human themes and ideas that abound in the written and spoken word. We aim to develop students’ capacity to think independently, to build a core foundation of knowledge of English Literature and to become more confident in articulating their personal values and beliefs. Underpinning this aim, we want our curriculum to be unashamedly rigorous and academic, with a clear focus on the core tenets of English: reading for inference, interpretation, and enjoyment; reading to understand perspective and bias; writing creatively; writing discursively with purpose. Our vision is for students to leave Wright Robinson College with an enthusiasm and deep appreciation for all that the spoken and written word can offer in 21st Century Britain.
Curriculum End Points
English Language
By the end of Key Stage 4:
- Students will develop their ability to read and understand a range of extracts from modern fiction and non-fiction texts and 19th Century non-fiction texts.
- Students will be able to write cogently and confidently analysing the language, patterns of language and structure of such texts.
- Students will explore writers’ intentions and develop their ability to critically interrogate viewpoints that others take on the texts that they read.
- Students will develop their reading ability using a wide range of texts and build on the progress they have made using Accelerated Reader at Key Stage 3, becoming more resilient readers in the process.
- Students will develop their understanding of the substantive differences between non-fiction and fiction writing.
- Students will develop the skills and knowledge required for successful discursive writing that they have been honing since their earliest formal writing experiences.
- Students will develop their understanding of the knowledge required to create a specifically fictional piece of creative writing.
English Literature
By the end of Key Stage 4:
- Students will have a very clear understanding of how characters, events and settings of literature texts are manipulated by writers to create meaning
- Students will understand how core themes and historical contexts of the texts help them to discuss a writer’s intentions with clarity and confidence.
- Students will be able to write cogently and confidently analysing the language, key themes and context of Literature texts.
- Students will be able to build upon their understanding of dramatic techniques and structures from Key Stage 3.
- Students will be able to develop a clear line of argument in response to an examination question.
- Students will be able to build upon their understanding of poetic techniques and structures from Key Stage 3.
KS3 Curriculum Map
Curriculum in Year 7
In Year 7, students will study three core units: Heroes and Heroines, Nonfiction reading and writing and Julius Caesar. This will be augmented with three class readers that will be read for enjoyment alongside.
How we assess:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview | Heroes and Heroines | Non-fiction reading and writing | Julius Caesar |
| Content | Students will expand their cultural capital by reading stories from mythology and exploring several different characters. They will encounter important genres, themes and vocabulary through their study of the ancient world which they will be able to carry forward and apply to future studies. Towards the end of the topic, students will begin to write from the viewpoint of various characters from mythology, developing their use of emotive language. | Students will study a range of texts covering writing to persuade, argue, inform and advise. Within these areas, students will learn how to read and analyse these texts, how to write their own and then practise their speaking skills through oracy related tasks. | Year 7 ends with students' first introduction to Shakespeare and a study of the tragedy, Julius Caesar. Students will read and analyse several extracts taken from the original Shakespearean text. This will enable pupils to develop the skill of language analysis which will allow them to build on their ability to comment on a character’s progression throughout a text. This will be an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the form of a dramatic text. |
| Assessment | Students will complete an assessment that will have three sections: knowledge, reading and writing section. The knowledge section will quiz students on key information they have learned over the course of the topic, the reading section will be comprised of comprehension questions based on a given myth. Finally, the writing section will ask students to write from a character’s perspective in a specific myth. | At the end of the module, students will produce their own speech or article, showcasing their opinion and all the skills they have studied in the unit including: vocabulary, techniques and structures. Students will also have the opportunity to show their ability to analyse a text and showcase their speaking skills. | Students will complete an assessment with two sections: knowledge and writing. The knowledge section will quiz students on the key vocabulary, context and plot of Julius Caesar. The writing section will focus on analytical writing and ask students to use an extract as a platform to comment on a how a certain character is presented in the play. |
| Class Reader | Refugee Boy – a story about a young refugee trying to find his place in British society. It follows Alem’s journey and the struggles he faces in seeking asylum) | The Hobbit - a fantasy novel about an adventure. The book follows the journey of the unlikely adventurer, Bilbo Baggins, on his quest to win a share of a fabled treasure. | TBC |
Curriculum in Year 8
In Year 8, students will move on to a further four core units: Oliver Twist, Unseen Poetry, Romeo and Juliet and Animal Farm. Again, there are three class readers, while the three writing units will focus on character and setting.
How we assess:
| Autumn Term | Spring 1 |
Spring 2 - Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
| Oliver Twist | Unseen poetry | Romeo & Juliet | Animal Farm |
| Students will explore the Victorian era and be introduced to the work of Dickens by studying an abridged version of Oliver Twist. Students will read extracts from the original version and analyse the way Dickens uses language to present his characters. This topic will also be used to introduce students to themes such as poverty and betrayal, as well as key vocabulary they will be able to apply to their study of Dickens at KS4. | Students will explore a range of modern poetry and be introduced to a range of different styles of poems. Students will analyse the language and structure within these poems which will prepare them for their study of poetry at KS4. Students will have the opportunity to write their own poem using the style, theme and structure that they feel is most engaging based on the poems they studied in the previous weeks. | Students will read an abridged version of Romeo and Juliet told through a series of detailed extracts from the original text. Students will continue to develop their analytical skills and become familiar with a variety of methods used by Shakespeare. Students will explore how both characters and themes are presented in the play and use quotations and references to the text to explain their answers. | Students will read Animal Farm in full, before going on to study the context, characters and themes in more depth. In this topic students will focus on close word analysis to further their analytical writing. They will write comparatively, examining differences and similarities between characters. Students will become familiar with the concept of an allegory and its purpose. |
| Assessment | Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
| Students will complete an assessment with two sections: knowledge and analytical writing. In the knowledge section students will be quizzed on the plot, context and key ideas studied during the topic. In the analytical writing section students will be provided with an extract and asked to comment on how a character is presented both in the extract and other parts of the novel. | Throughout their study of poetry, students will complete a series of assessments which will cover a range of skills such as summarising, comparison, evaluation and analysis. | Students will complete an assessment with two sections: knowledge and analytical writing. In the knowledge section students will be quizzed on the plot, context and key ideas studied during the topic. In the analytical writing section students will be provided with an extract and asked to comment on how a character or theme is presented both in the extract and other parts of the play. | Students will complete an assessment with two sections: knowledge and analytical writing. In the knowledge section students will be quizzed on the plot, context and key ideas studied during the topic. In the analytical writing section students will be provided with an extract and asked to comment on how a character or theme is presented both in the extract and other parts of the novel. |
Curriculum in Year 9
In Year 9, students will again study four core units: War Poetry, Blood Brothers, Henry V and Fiction reading/writing. The writing units will help students write from a character’s perspective, write a persuasive speech and write about the natural world.
| Autumn Term | Spring 1 |
Spring 2 - Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
| War Poetry | Blood Brothers | Henry V | Fiction & Creative Writing |
| Students will read and analyse and anthology of WW1 poetry. They will be introduced to several forms of poetry including a sonnet. Students will learn to comment on tone and structure, as well as continuing to develop their language analysis. Pupils will learn about the context of WW1 and how to apply this meaningfully to comments on a poet’s intentions. They will also learn to compare and contrast poems. | Students will begin their study of the modern musical ‘Blood Brothers’. Students will learn the context of the time as well as understanding the plot, themes and characters. Students will complete language analysis of key quotes and dramatic techniques and write GCSE style responses which will be assessed based on GCSE criteria. | Students will be studying Shakespeare’s Henry V. Students will familiarise themselves with context, plot, themes and characters. The studying of Henry V will build up to students producing GCSE style responses which will be assessed based on GCSE criteria. | Students will read a range of fiction extracts from a variety of different genres (fantasy, dystopian, comedy etc.) Students will complete a series of tasks based on the fiction text they read before creating their own piece of writing based on the genre they have studied. |
| Assessment | Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
| Students will complete an assessment with two sections: knowledge and writing. The knowledge section will quiz students on the context of WW1, key vocabulary from the topic and key ideas they have studied about prominent poems from WW1. The writing section will focus on analytical writing and ask students to analyse a given poem and compare it with another one they have studied from the anthology. | Students will be assessed through quizzes to check understanding of plot, context and characters. As students gain more confidence with the play, assessments will take on a more GCSE style approach with analysis and evaluation questions. | Students will be assessed through quizzes to check understanding of plot, context and characters. As students gain more confidence with the play, assessments will take on a more GCSE style approach with analysis and evaluation questions. | Assessments will be based on the skills students have developed through their study of various texts. These skills will then be assessed (analysis, evaluation, summarising, comparison). At the end of the unit, students will be expected to produce a piece of creative writing. |
Curriculum in Year 10
In Year 10, students begin their study of AQA GCSE English Language and Literature. They begin by studying An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley and then, as we move towards the festive season, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Students then turn their attention to English Language and study this through to Easter. We then move on to Anthology Poetry – the students will study the Power and Conflict cluster.
How we assess: AQA English Language and AQA English Literature - 100% Examination Assessment.
Links to the exam board specifications:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview | An Inspector Calls / A Christmas Carol | A Christmas Carol / English Language | English Language / Anthology Poetry |
| Content | Students will study An Inspector Calls and A Christmas Carol. We read the texts in full and develop students' understanding of their context and themes. At the end of each unit, students will sit a GCSE English Literature style question paper, testing their knowledge and understanding and giving students a clear sense of what the examination requires of them. | Students will complete their study of A Christmas Carol and then move on to studying GCSE English Language Paper 1 and 2. At the end of the Language unit for each paper, students will sit a GCSE English Language style question paper, giving students a clear sense of what the examination requires of them. | Students will complete their study of English Language and move on to the 'Power and Conflict' cluster of Anthology Poetry. They will study 15 poems and in September of Year 11 will complete a GCSE English Literature style examination paper, testing their knowledge and understanding and giving students a clear sense of what the examination requires of them. |
How can parents help?
- As students begin their GCSE study, it is very important to support students' independent reading.
- Encourage students to join their local library - Gorton Library (on Garratt Way) is the closest to school and is open late on Tuesday nights until 8pm.
- Talk to students about what they are studying in English lessons - ask them to retell the story of the texts we are reading or show you examples of the writing they have completed. This interest in what students are completing will help them see the value in their study of the subject.
- Revision guides for all the texts we study are available via the website.
Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11, students will study Macbeth as their final English Literature text. After this is complete, we begin a period of revision and consolidation of the Key Stage 4 work so far. There will be a significant number of revision and intervention opportunities for students to take advantage of throughout the year.
How we assess: AQA English Language and AQA English Literature - 100% Examination Assessment.
Links to the exam board specifications:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview | Macbeth | Revision and Consolidation | Examination Preparation |
| Content | Students will study Shakespeare's Macbeth. We will read the text in full and develop students' understanding of their context and themes. At the end of each unit, students will sit a GCSE English Literature style question paper, testing their knowledge and understanding and giving students a clear sense of what the examiantion requires of them. | The final two terms of the year will help students prepare for their examiantions. There will be significant intervention and revision provision and students will practise responding to examination style questions and developing their examiantion technique. |
- In terms of preparing for the closed book examinations in English Literature, students will, unavoidably, be anxious about learning quotations. The exam is a closed book exam so students will not have access to their copy of the play. Teachers will be providing students with lists of important quotations that students should endeavour to become comfortable with. Parents and carers can support students by testing regularly and even learning the quotations with your child!
- Talk to students about what they are studying in English lessons - ask them to retell the story of the texts we are reading or show you examples of the writing they have completed. This interest in what students are completing will help them see the value in their study of the subject.
- There are very good filmed adaptations of all the texts that we study - these are available online via most streaming services. We particularly recommend the BBC version of An Inspector Calls.
- Revision guides (York Notes) for all the texts we study are available via the school website.