Curriculum Intent

English is vital for communicating with others in school and the wider world.

Our aims are:

• to develop students’ confidence and skills in reading, writing and spoken language
• to provide a foundation for our Beyond School Curriculum
• for all students to achieve an English qualification to support their next steps

Many of our students arrive with poor literacy or having experienced much failure in English believing they ‘can’t read’ or ‘can’t spell’. Some arrive with a love of reading or writing but feel they are behind because poor attendance has meant there are gaps in their literacy or subject knowledge. Our intent is to develop their confidence, resilience and independence by assessing their skills and knowledge and providing individualised learning to plug any gaps and teach them strategies to approach any areas they find difficult.

Curriculum Maps

Curriculum Justification

KS3

Students have at least four English lessons each week. We follow different programmes of study each year, covering all aspects of the English National Curriculum over 3 years. Each is topic based and differentiated across the year groups as classes are taught in mixed age and ability groups. All lessons are differentiated to meet individual need and topics are chosen to engage pupils.

KS4

We offer a range of qualifications to meet individual student’s needs based on their future ambitions, whether that be A Levels, college, apprenticeships or employment with training.

KS4 students have 4 lessons each week and follow an integrated curriculum leading to qualifications in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature, with an option for Functional Skills dependent on their ability.

We follow different programmes of study each year, covering all aspects of the English National Curriculum over 2 years. Each is differentiated across the year groups as classes are taught in mixed ability groups.

The KS4 teacher is an experienced GCSE examiner for Language and Literature across a range of exam boards so GCSE teaching is informed with an insight into examiner expectations and strategies which will aid exam success. Many of our students arrive part way through their GCSE course, but because we have established links with schools in the district and an understanding of a range of exam boards, we are able to support students through their GCSE course, regardless of when they join us.

We have smaller class sizes and TA support in all lessons which allows a personalised approach and an environment where students can express themselves more freely. All English classrooms have full ICT suites allowing all students to word process their work in lessons and examinations, easing the process of planning, structuring and redrafting work, particularly for students with SEN needs.

In form time students also use IDL Literacy, which is a speaking-computer based multi-sensory system which supports students across all year groups to increase their reading and spelling ages with regular use.

Curriculum Development

Development of programmes of study to enrich the ‘Cultural Capital’ of students through English lessons across all key stages.

Work closely with other subject areas to develop cross curricular links to allow our students greater opportunities to make and develop meaningful links in their learning.

Provide increased opportunities for students to experience the wealth of live professional theatre in our local area.

English Careers

GCSE English Language supports applications to both academic and vocational pathways. Most A Level and Level 3 courses or apprenticeships require a grade 4 in English Language. Most Level 2 courses or apprenticeships require a grade 3 and many Level 1 courses accept a grade 1 or 2 in English Language.

There are many careers for lovers of English: Digital Copywriter, Editorial Assistant, Journalist, English Teacher, University Lecturer, Speech and Language Therapist, Lawyer, Barrister.