In Year 7, pupils begin an exciting and enriching journey through literature, designed to ignite curiosity, develop critical thinking and foster a lifelong love of reading and writing.

The year opens with an exploration of Frankenstein, where pupils examine themes such as morality, identity and scientific ambition. This classic text introduces them to the ways literature reflects and challenges societal values, while building essential skills in inference and textual analysis.

Following their study of literature, pupils move into a non-fiction unit called The Art of Rhetoric. In this unit, they read a wide range of texts written by journalists, campaigners and public speakers. They learn how language can be used to persuade and influence others. Pupils are taught to spot bias, consider different viewpoints and write their own persuasive pieces with clarity and purpose. These skills are useful not only in English lessons but also in everyday life.

In the spring term, pupils explore a collection of poems on the theme of Identity. The poems come from a variety of voices and cultures, and pupils learn how poets use language, structure and imagery to express emotions and ideas. This unit encourages creativity and helps pupils appreciate the power of poetry to capture personal and universal experiences.

The year ends with an introduction to Shakespeare through The Tempest. Pupils explore themes such as power, freedom, magic and forgiveness, while becoming familiar with Shakespeare’s language and the features of drama. They read and perform scenes from the play, helping them to understand character, plot and stagecraft. This unit gives pupils a strong foundation for studying Shakespeare in later years.

In Year 8, pupils build on the foundations laid in Year 7 by engaging with increasingly complex texts and ideas, developing their ability to think critically, write with precision and respond thoughtfully to a range of literary and non-fiction material.

The year begins with a study of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where pupils explore themes of power, control and resistance. Through this allegorical novel, they examine how literature can be used to reflect political ideologies and challenge societal structures, while refining their skills in interpretation and argument.

Next, pupils will study an exciting non-fiction unit called Myths and Modern Debates. They will read a range of texts that present different opinions on important issues such as the impact of social media, gender equality and environmental responsibility. Through reading and discussion, pupils learn to think critically about how these topics affect society. They will also explore how writers use language to persuade and influence opinions. Alongside this, pupils will develop their own persuasive writing skills, learning to write clearly, with purpose and using evidence to support their ideas.

In the spring term, pupils will move on to a poetry unit focused on the Romantic poets. They will explore how poets respond to themes such as nature, imagination and the power of human emotion. Through close reading and discussion, pupils will learn how poets use language, structure and form to create mood, express powerful emotions and communicate deeper meanings. This unit builds analytical skills and encourages creativity, helping pupils appreciate how poetry can find beauty and meaning even in challenging times.

The year concludes with a study of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Pupils investigate themes of love, fate and family conflict, while becoming more confident in navigating Shakespearean language and dramatic structure. This unit offers a deeper engagement with character development and dramatic tension, preparing pupils for more advanced literary study.

Throughout the year, pupils are encouraged to read widely, express themselves creatively, and engage in meaningful discussion, building the analytical and communication skills essential for success at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

• Year 9 marks a pivotal stage in our English curriculum, where pupils begin to engage with more mature themes and sophisticated texts that challenge their thinking and deepen their understanding of the world around them. This year is designed to prepare students for the demands of GCSE study by encouraging independence, critical reflection and confident communication.

  The year opens with Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of racial inequality, identity and social justice. Pupils examine how narrative structure, characterisation and viewpoint are used to provoke empathy and raise awareness of systemic issues, while developing their ability to construct analytical arguments.

  Following this, pupils engage in a stimulating non-fiction unit on the theme Victorian Wonders and Modern Marvels, texts then and now, which introduces students to a range of Victorian and modern non-fiction texts and encourages them to think critically about real-world issues and diverse perspectives. They explore a wide range of texts including articles, speeches and opinion pieces, designed to challenge their thinking and deepen their understanding of how writers shape meaning and influence audiences. Through this unit, pupils refine their ability to evaluate arguments, compare viewpoints and identify rhetorical strategies. They also develop their own persuasive writing skills, learning to craft responses that are clear, purposeful and confident.

  In the spring term, pupils study a carefully curated selection of Protest Poetry. They analyse how poets use language, structure and form to convey powerful emotions and respond to historical and social contexts. This unit not only strengthens pupils’ analytical skills but also encourages empathy and a deeper appreciation of how literature reflects the complexities of human experience.

  The year concludes with Shakespeare’s Othello, offering pupils the opportunity to explore complex themes such as jealousy, manipulation and reputation. Through this tragedy, pupils engage with dramatic tension, character psychology and the impact of language, gaining deeper insight into Shakespeare’s craft and relevance.

  Throughout Year 9, pupils are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning, read widely across genres, and express themselves with increasing sophistication, laying the groundwork for a confident transition into Key Stage 4.

 

During Years 10 and 11, pupils follow the Eduqas GCSE specifications for both English Language and English Literature, engaging with a wide range of texts and developing the analytical, interpretive and communication skills essential for academic success and life beyond school.

In English Literature, pupils study four core texts:

• Macbeth by William Shakespeare in which pupils explore ambition, power and fate through dramatic structure and language.
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in which pupils examining themes of redemption, social responsibility and transformation.
• An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley in which pupils analyse social class, responsibility and dramatic irony in a post-war context.
• A selection of fifteen poems from the Eduqas Poetry Anthology, covering themes such as conflict, love, identity and nature. Pupils learn to compare poems and explore how poets use language, form and structure to convey meaning.

 

The curriculum is designed not only to prepare pupils thoroughly for their final examinations, but also to foster a lifelong appreciation of literature and the power of language.

In English Language, pupils study a broad range of literary fiction and literary non-fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. They practise responding to unseen extracts, developing skills in comprehension, analysis and evaluation. Pupils also refine their own writing, learning how to craft texts for different purposes and audiences with accuracy, creativity and control.

Throughout both courses, pupils are encouraged to:

Use critical material to deepen their understanding of texts. Articulate personal interpretations with clarity and sophistication. Analyse how writers use language and structure to influence readers. Practise unseen poetry analysis and develop comparative skills.