English Curriculum Intent ‌ We aim to ensure that all pupils develop into: Insightful, knowledgeable, inquisitive, deep-thinking and enthusiastic readers who enjoy and appreciate reading challenging texts and have a broad vocabulary. Confident and fluent verbal communicators and attentive listeners who can communicate their ideas to others effectively. Accurate, fluent and effective writers, who are able to craft their writing for a wide range of purposes and audiences and can plan, structure, edit and improve their own work independently. Students’ that have a clear understanding of grammatical constructions and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language, building on KS2. We ensure students have the opportunity to study a wide variety of texts and genres to develop reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Throughout our curriculum we aim to develop a love of reading and learning and closely mirror the skills needed for their GCSE English Language and Literature exam. Year 7 ENGLISH What will I learn? Half Term 1: Storytelling Through The Ages: myths and legends Half Term 2: Shakespeare: The Tempest; transactional writing (newspaper articles) Half term 3: Growing Up: Modern Novel: Wonder Half Term 4: Growing Up: Victorian literature: Oliver Twist / descriptive writing Half Term 5: Around the World: Multicultural Poetry Half Term 6: Around the World: non-fiction; travel writing Year 8 ENGLISH What will I learn? Half Term 1: The Gothic: poetry; short stories Half Term 2: The Gothic: narrative writing Half term 3: Literature Through Time: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet; sonnets Half Term 4: Literature Through Time: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet; sonnets Half Term 5: Survival: Dystopian Literature: non-fiction: Lord of the Flies Half Term 6: Survival: protest poetry and transactional writing (speeches) Year 9 ENGLISH What will I learn? Half Term 1: Modern novel: Of Mice and Men; narrative writing Half Term 2: Modern drama: Blood Brothers Half term 3: Conflict Poetry Half Term 4: Transactional writing Half Term 5: Shakespeare: Macbeth Half Term 6: Shakespeare: Macbeth English Language Years 9, 10 and 11 QUALIFICATION: GCSE English Language (8700) AWARDING BODY: AQA What will I learn? Over the course you will study a range of texts – both fiction and non-fiction – and develop your skills in responding to these texts so that you become confident in analysing them. You will also practise writing for different audiences using a variety of different forms. How will I learn? You will learn through the analysis of fiction and non-fiction texts – debating ideas in small groups and as a whole class. There will be plenty of opportunity to undertake practice exam questions in timed conditions. Modelling of answers, shared writing and self and peer assessment will feature regularly in lessons, as will the crafting and re-drafting of written responses. You will also be supported to develop in memory and recall through frequent revision activities. How will I be assessed? This course is assessed through two examination papers and a Spoken Language test. Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing 1 hr 45 mins [50% of GCSE] Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives 1 hr 45 mins [50% of GCSE] There is also a spoken presentation, which is assessed by the teacher and awarded a separate grade. Possible Careers/Future Pathways: Employers require their employees to have a good command of the English Language, with many companies now asking for a Grade 4 in English Language or above. They want to know that you can comprehend reading material and that you can write well. Developing these skills will, therefore, be essential in helping you secure great jobs and career paths in the future. English Literature Years 9 and 10 QUALIFICATION: GCSE English Literature (8702) AWARDING BODY: AQA What will I learn? Over the course, you will study an exciting an inspiring range of literature texts – ranging from a modern play to more classic texts taken from the 19th century, a poetry cluster and a Shakespearean play. How will I learn? You will use independent research and study skills to discover what life was like such as social pressures, traditions and personal experiences. You will also approach texts from a range of perspectives, seeking to develop multiple interpretations of language, form and structure as well as character and theme. How will I be assessed? This course is assessed through two examination papers: Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel 1h 45m [40% of GCSE] Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry 2h 15m [60% of GCSE] Possible Careers/Future Pathways: Employers require their employees to have a good command of English, with many companies now asking for a Grade 4 in English Literature or above. They want to know that you can comprehend reading material and that you can write well. Developing these skills will, therefore, be essential in helping you secure great jobs and career paths in the future such as a journalist, lawyer, author, newsreader, politician, actor, scriptwriter, teacher, customer service, retail and many, many more! English Literature Years 12 and 13 QUALIFICATION: A-Level English Literature (7717) AWARDING BODY: AQA Why study English Literature? Reading great literature enables us to reflect on all facets of human experience and to appreciate the range and variety of language. In this syllabus, texts are studied within their literary and cultural genres, and students learn about a number of critical approaches, discovering how texts can be read in different ways, depending on the perspective of the reader. A qualification in English Literature proves that you are highly motivated, analytical and confident in your ability to construct and convey an argument in both spoken and written form. What will I learn? You will learn to read, understand and enjoy some of the great writing of the past, as well as the best in contemporary writing, from the fourteenth century to modern texts. You will also develop the capacity for independent thought, critical discrimination and sophisticated writing. How will I learn? You will learn through discussion about texts – debating ideas in small groups and as a whole class – independent research, close reading, analysis and evaluation of material and individual presentations. How will I be assessed? You will have 2 exams and a coursework unit. Paper 1: Literary genres 2h 30min [40% of A-Level] Paper 2: Texts and genres 3h [40% of A-Level] Paper 3: Two essays 1500 words (Internally assessed) [20% of A-Level] What are the entry requirements? 5 GCSE grades at 9 – 4 (or equivalent), including Maths and grade 5 in GCSE English Language and English Literature. Possible Careers/Future Pathways: English literature is a core facilitating subject, widely accepted and valued by universities across the country. A Level Literature helps to develop skills of analysis and critical thinking, as well as individual study, thereby preparing you for a wide range of career choices, such as journalism, teaching, publishing and advertising. Haydon Bridge High School • North Bank • Haydon Bridge • NE47 6LR email: hbhs@hbhs.co.uk • Tel: 01434 684422