English

Head of Department: Mr J Davis
Faculty Staff: Mrs C Burles (Assistant Leader, KS4 co-ordinator), Miss G Culleton (KS3 co-ordinator), Mrs M Kay, Miss E Stork, Miss A Broadway, Mr D Barford, Ms A Powell
Level of teaching: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Throughout years 7 to 9 students will build their skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening through a series of dedicated schemes of work. They will explore a 19th century novel or short story, poetry across the ages, Shakespeare, contemporary fiction, non-fiction texts and creative writing. Embedded within these curriculum areas are the skills required for the study of English at GCSE and beyond. Information and Communication Technology is also encouraged for research and presentation purposes.

Year 7


Terms 1 & 2
Contemporary fiction: ‘The Breadwinner’
Creative writing: Using the classics for inspiration – ‘The Odyssey’ or ‘Oliver Twist’

Terms 3 & 4
Modern drama: ‘Frankenstein’
Speaking and listening: Debates
Non-fiction writing: Changing our world and BBC Young Reporters

Terms 5 & 6
Contemporary poetry: Exploring different cultures
Shakespeare: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or ‘The Tempest’
Creative writing: Poetry and script writing

Year 8


Terms 1 & 2
Contemporary fiction: ‘Refugee Boy’
Orwell Youth Prize: Reading and writing in different genres; focus on diversity

Terms 3 & 4
Shakespeare: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
Creative writing: Gothic fiction

Terms 5 & 6
Non-fiction writing: Writing with a viewpoint/opinion/argument
19th Century fiction: Sherlock Holmes ‘The Speckled Band’ and other short stories

Year 9


Terms 1 & 2
Poetry to make you think and feel: Looking at modern issues through poetry
Orwell Youth Prize: Reading and writing in different genres; focus on Activism

Terms 3 & 4
Contemporary Fiction and Shakespeare: ‘Noughts and Crosses’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Focus on reading and writing skills using both texts

Terms 5 & 6
Travel writing
Begin GCSEs: ‘An Inspector Calls’

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

At KS4 all students will follow an English programme which leads to a qualification in both English Language and English Literature.

English GCSE Pathways

Course Code: AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature
Exam Board Specification: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse
Exam Board Specification: www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature

Year 10


Terms 1 & 2
Component 1 English Language: Reading and writing
19th Century Fiction: ‘A Christmas Carol’

Terms 3 & 4
Spoken Language Presentations and Language work (non-fiction viewpoint writing and creative writing)
Shakespeare: ‘Macbeth’

Terms 5 & 6
Poetry Anthology & Unseen Poetry
Post 1914 Drama: ‘An Inspector Calls’



Year 11


Terms 1 & 2
Literature Paper 2 revision: Post 1914 Drama: ‘An Inspector Calls’
Component 2 English Language: Non-fiction reading and writing

Terms 3 & 4
Revision of all papers

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

Course Code: A Level English Language and Literature AQA 7707
Course Code: A Level English Literature AQA 7712

At KS5 students are given the opportunity to study either A Level English Literature or A Level English Language and Literature.

A Level English Language and Literature AQA 7707
Exam Board Specification: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-and-literature-7706-7707

Recommended Entry Requirements

  • Grade 5 GCSE English Literature and English Language
  • Enjoy reading for study and pleasure

Why English Language and Literature?
This exciting course has a rich variety and a thought-provoking range of literary and linguistic texts including novels, plays, poetry and ‘real-world’ texts such as articles, speeches and travel writing. You will learn to interpret, analyse and discuss a vast range of topics and issues. You will also develop your creative writing skills, inspired by the writers you are studying and learn how to critically evaluate your own work.

Residential Trip
Our current residential trip is several days in Paris – this links well with the AQA Anthology containing texts related to Paris.

Assessment
40% – Paper 1 – Telling Stories
An Anthology of texts, 1 prose and 1 poetry
40% – Paper 2 – Exploring Conflict
1 drama, re-creative writing
20% – Coursework – Making Connections
Extended essay of 2,500-3,000 words

Recommended Reading
Any of these would provide a good introduction – we MAY be studying some of these texts:
Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale; Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones; F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby; Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner; Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire.
The Art of Writing English Literature Essays: for A-level & Beyond by Michael Meally
A/AS Level English Language and Literature for AQA Student Book by Marcello Giovanelli
York notes available for the individual texts studied.


A Level English Literature AQA 7712
Exam Board Specification: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-a-7711-7712

Recommended Entry Requirements

  • Grade 5 GCSE English Literature and English Language
  • Enjoy reading for study and pleasure

Why English Literature?
This course offers the opportunity to become a confident, widely-read communicator who enjoys discussing texts and expressing views. The course involves reading and engaging with an exciting and challenging range of texts: prose, poetry, drama and research. At the same time, we always aim to develop understanding of the various links to social/historical context. By studying English Literature, you will learn to view the world around you with different eyes, developing skills of perception and critical awareness.

You will study a play by Shakespeare as well as some contemporary fiction. You may also explore the concepts of war/conflict or what it means to live in a modern society.

Assessment
40% – Paper 1 – Love Through the Ages. Three texts, one to be pre-1900
40% – Paper 2 – Texts in Shared Context. Three texts, one to be post-2000
20% – Coursework
Independent Critical Study of Texts Across Time
Extended essay 2,500 words

Recommended Reading
The following books form a good introduction to the course that we may study:

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby; Pat Barker, Life Class; R.C. Sherriff, Journey’s End; Jane Austen, Persuasion; Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights; Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale; Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire; Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Alice Walker, The Color Purple; Strange Meeting by Susan Hill; Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks; The Accrington Pals by Peter Whelan.

The Art of Writing English Literature Essays: for A-level & Beyond by Michael Meally
Study and Revise for A/AS Level: AQA Anthology: love poetry through the ages by L McBratney
A/AS Level English Literature A for AQA Student Book by R Carey
York notes available for the individual texts studied.

Resources & Links:

Key Stage 3

Teach it English: https://www.teachitenglish.co.uk/ks3-grammar-vocabulary/word-games/tags/3581
Education Quizzes: https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/english/
Top Marks: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar
BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv

Key Stage 4

AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700
AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702
For past papers and mark schemes.

Spark Notes: https://www.sparknotes.com/
Very good resource for ALL Literature texts.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/poetryessay
Great channel for studying literature.

BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zcbchv4
Get Revising: https://getrevising.co.uk/
Teach Wire: https://www.teachwire.net/news/5-of-the-best-last-minute-gcse-english-language-revision-resources
To Marks: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar

Key Stage 5

AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-a-7711-7712
AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-and-literature-7706-7707
For past papers and mark schemes.

Spark Notes: https://www.sparknotes.com/
Get Revising: https://getrevising.co.uk/

Enrichment:


Year 7
Book Buzz
Visiting authors
Theatre trip to pantomime
Readathon competition
Creative writing club
Various: library activities and competitions
Writer in Residence workshops

Year 8
Patron of reading activities/workshop
Writer in Residence workshops
Library activities and competitions

Year 9
Patron of reading activities/workshop
Writer in Residence workshops
Library activities and competitions


Year 10
Catenians public speaking competition
Theatre trip

Year 11
Theatre trip
Bath Spa student workshops
Revision sessions after school

Whole school
National Poetry Day celebrations
World Book Day celebrations
Writer in Residence workshops
Participation in the Bath Children’s Literature Festival

English News