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English

English is a core curriculum subject and ensuring a high standard in this subject is a national priority.    

Lower Line

At this level there is still a creative writing element though the focus will shift to cultivating the ability to think and read critically. Both pre-1914 and contemporary literature is read, include prose, poetry and drama.  This includes Shakespeare and Dickens.  There will also be a focus on correct grammar and vocabulary building. 

Figures Term 1

  • Autobiography
  • Drama
  • Novel

Figures Term 2 

  • Debate
  • Writing: imagine, explore, entertain
  • Poetry
  • Introduction to Shakespeare

Figures Term 3 

  • Non-fiction: fact and opinion (exam preparation)
  • Text comparison
  • Advertising campaign

Rudiments Term 1

  • Short stories
  • Drama
  • Shakespeare (comedy)

Rudiments Term 2 

  • Debate
  • Travel writing
  • Novel
  • Poetry from different cultures

Rudiments Term 3 

  • Text comparison
  • Journalistic writing
  • Film study
  • Reading and writing skills (exam preparation)

Lower Grammar Term 1

  • Narrative writing
  • Drama
  • Shakespeare (tragedy)

Lower Grammar Term 2 

  • Debate
  • Novel (pre 1914)
  • Poetry (in depth study of a poet)

Lower Grammar Term 3

  • Political speeches
  • Reading and writing skills (exam preparation)

Higher Line

GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language are both compulsory subjects.  English Literature involves the critical study of famous literary prose and poetry.  Students will study how writers use literary devices to communicate.  The scope of the course will allow the exploration of cultural and historical themes embedded in these literary works and an examination of the significance of the works themselves.  GCSE English Language will involve the formalised study of correct grammar and spelling, but also encompass creative writing and reading skills.  There will also be a speaking and listening component (which is graded separately).

Grammar Term 1

Exam Skills:

  • reading, locating, inferring
  • Analysis of language
  • and effect – with particular focus on 20thC extracts

AQA Poetry Anthology

  • Conflict: first 5 poems

Writing: Exam Skills - Prose

  • Describe and Narrate 

Grammar Term 2 

Reading:  Exam Skills:

  • Non Fiction extracts: letters; autobiographical and biographical; diaries; reports; articles.

Writing: Exam Skills:

  • Transactional, Discursive and Persuasive writing

Grammar Term 3

Literature: Modern Text: 

  • An Inspector Calls or Lord of The Flies.

Spoken Language Preparation:

  • Formal presentation or speech 

Syntax Term 1

Literature – Shakespeare:  

  • Macbeth  

AQA Poetry Anthology

  • Conflict: 2nd 5 poems

Spoken Language:

  • Presentations  

Syntax Term 2 

Literature text 19th C Novel: 

  • The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; A Christmas Carol; or The Sign of Four.

AQA Poetry Anthology:

  • Final 5 poems

Syntax Term 3

Literature

  • set texts and Poetry

Language:  

  • Exam Practice

Sixth Form

The A level course aims to develop and improve students' ability to understand and analyse literature across all three main forms: prose, poetry and drama.  For success in English Literature, students must combine a thorough knowledge of the set texts with the ability to present a reasoned and coherent line of thought.  The ability to compare different writers' styles and approaches is a key objective along with enthusiasm for literature and wide reading. 

Poetry Term 1 

Y12 OCR Literature

  • Developing response to fictional prose extracts.
  • Building critical terminology.
  • Coursework:  Close critical analysis of prose passage:
    ‘Disgrace’ – J M Coetzee
    (1000-word essay).
  • Begin Emily Dickinson poetry.

Y12 AQA Language and Literature

  • Introduction to elements of English Language analysis
  • ​Begin ‘The Kite Runner’

Poetry Term 2 

Y12 OCR Literature

  • ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ – Tennessee Williams.
  • ‘Death of a Salesman’ Arthur Miller.
  • Comparative Coursework on plays in context of tragic theory
    (2000-word essay)
  • Begin ‘Dorian Gray’

Y12 AQA Language and Literature 

  • Introduction to Drama
  • ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ – Tennessee Williams
  • ​Planned speech vs spontaneous speech 

Poetry Term 3 

Y12 OCR Literature

Exam Preparation:

  • ​‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ – Oscar Wilde
  • Poetry of Emily Dickinson
  • ​<span style=";" line-height:1.5em"="">Act One – ‘King Lear’

 Y12 AQA Language and Literature 

  • Aspects of Dialogue
  • ‘Strange Meeting’ – Susan Hill
  • ​Exam Practice 

Rhetoric Term 1 

Y13 OCR Literature

  • ‘King Lear’
  • Dystopian Fiction: ‘1984’; ‘Brave New World’; poetry of T S Eliot
  • Coursework piece: Comparison of relationships in dystopian fiction
    (3000-word essay)

​Y13 AQA Language and Literature

  • Introduction to literary and linguistic terminology
  • Begin William Blake’s Songs

Rhetoric Term 2 

Y13 OCR Literature

  • Poetry of William Blake
  • ‘The White Devil’ – John Webster

​Y13 AQA Language and Literature

  • Begin work on Hamlet
  • Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs:
    War + Politics, Race, Society
  • Recreative Work and Body Image

Rhetoric Term 3 

Y13 OCR Literature

Exam Preparation:

  • Poetry of William Blake
  • ‘The White Devil’ – John Webster
  • ‘King Lear’

​Y13 AQA Language and Literature

  • Analysing unseen texts:
    Skills of analysis – spontaneous speech; conversation; planned writing etc

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