OVERVIEW

The English curriculum at Harris Church of England Academy is centred on transformation, personal development, deep experience and deep learning for all students. We understand the importance for our 21st century learners that we embed skills for transference cross-curricular, provide a comprehensive programme of enrichment and extension activities, encourage partnerships and contributions in the community and place an emphasis on Literacy; the key to ensure learning is relevant for the work place and to access all learning. We strive to provide positive and enjoyable experiences which are not just relevant now but always, to personalise and maximise the potential in all students to surpass aspirations and provide a liberalised education; developing the department’s culture of learning for its own sake to liberate students from their own limitations and strive for personal excellence.

KS3 CURRICULUM

Content is delivered in half termly modules using a core scheme of work. Modules studied in KS3 include a prose text, non-fiction texts, a range of poetry, media and Shakespeare.

KS4 CURRICULUM

Students develop their Reading, Writing and Communication skills throughout Years 10 and 11, culminating in two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature.

Students prepare for AQA English Language and English Literature which consist of 100% external examinations. These units cover a range of texts and allow students to demonstrate their understanding of key literacy skills, the study of literary works, as well as their own creativity.

GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

TWO EXTERNAL EXAMINATION (100%)

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Writing and Reading.

Students respond to one literature fiction text and produce a piece of descriptive or narrative writing. (50%)

Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives.

Students respond to one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text. They will also produce a piece of writing presenting a viewpoint. (50%)

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

TWO EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS (100%)

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel.

Students answer a question on a Shakespeare play and novel. They respond to extracts as well as the text as a whole. (40%)

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry.

Students respond to an essay question from a modern prose or drama text. Students will also compare poems they have studied as well as unseen poems.

SMSC IN ENGLISH

The English Department are proud to offer a range of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural experiences through English lessons and extra-curricular activities. Visits to the theatre and historical towns such as Stratford Upon Avon extend spiritual, moral, social and cultural appreciation and understanding of society. Students express their creativity and understanding of other cultures through their study of literature and non-fiction texts. Competitions and clubs are offered to allow students to develop and showcase their skills, knowledge and experiences through SMSC in English.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENGLISH

• Yr7- ‘All about me’; sense of identity and self-worth
• Yr7- 'My Sister lives on the Mantelpiece' – Through the study students will learn key aspects of the relationships, family and attitudes to racism.
• Yr7- 'Skellig' Through the study of the novel students will learn key aspects of faith, relationships and illness.
• Yr8- ‘A Christmas Carol’- studied in the approach to Christmas to explore deeper meanings; death, goodwill, childhood and youth
• Yr8- ‘Moon on the Tides Anthology’ 'Character and Voice’; exploring context and social issues, concepts of the meaning of self-identity and self-worth.
• Yr9 Poetry ‘War and Conflict' exploring conflict and war.
• Yr9- Unseen poetry- explore works of Rossetti, Blake and Keats- exploring many aspects including religion.
• Yr10- Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’- exploring the supernatural, divine rights of kings and conflicted characters.
• Exploring the concepts of death and life in Yr7 My Sister lives on the Mantelpiece’, Yr9- ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, Yr10 ‘Blood Brothers'
   

MORAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENGLISH

• Yr8- Study of the ‘Christmas Carol’- exploring moral values, choices and social issues and change
• Yr7 Shakespeare – ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Yr8 ‘Twelfth Night’– exploring choices made and moral values; freewill and fate.
• Yr 9 ‘Blood Brothers’- exploring communities and social, moral dilemmas
• Yr9 novel ‘Jekyll and Hyde’- exploring duality and humanity
• Yr10 and 11 ‘Of Mice and Men’, Steinbeck – discrimination; social values
• Yrs7, 8, 9 and 10 – Speaking and Listening discussions and debates on topical issues
   

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENGLISH

• Yr8- ‘Sherlock Holmes’ several short stories explored with a focus on characters, social issues and narrative voice. Context of Pre-19thc text examined to interpret the text.
• Yr9 & 10- ‘War and Conflict’ Poetry; exploring context and social issues
• Years 7-10 – Speaking and Listening – group discussions and presentations; drama role play and hot seating
• Yr10 –‘Blood Brothers’– social values; theme of power and family within society, roles, rules and masculinity
• Year 10 – Spoken Language – the study of language and how we communicate – socially acceptable conventions.
   

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENGLISH

• Students have an opportunity to explore a range of texts from British  Literature as well as other cultures across key stages.
• Yr10 theatre trip- RSC.
• Yr11 Poetry Live trip- AQA Chief Examiner present and poets. Delivery of notes on their work and exam techniques.
• Open discussions on interpretations of the poems and issues raised.
• KS3- range of theatre trips organised each year, dependent on shows available, to the RSC, The Belgrade Theatre, London’s West End or Warwick Arts Centre to see set texts, pantomimes or other fantastic plays.
• Yr7 & 8– media and non-fiction – how different cultures are portrayed in media texts