Back

English

Oakbank English Department

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss

“I read so many books when I was a kid that I didn't even know were shaping me up.” Stormzy

Sharing stories is part of human nature, a way we communicate ideas and experiences with each other. In English we take these stories, our own and those written by others, and ask what we can learn from them. Through reading together, we can experience things in countries we’ve never visited, pasts we can only imagine and from perspectives that are profoundly different to our own. As we read and discuss, we learn more about our own beliefs and values and challenge ourselves to see what happens when we think differently. Through studying English, our students become more engaged with the world around them, learn to engage with a range of opinions and perspectives, develop skills to think more critically about what they read and hear, and understand that their voice is important and should be heard. 

Our curriculum is planned with the intent to:

Provide all students in KS3 and KS3 with a broad study of key concepts in English through schemes of learning which are structured around themes enabling students to explore how ideas are presented differently in a range of different text types including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays. Discussions around these texts will lead students to being able to create their own pieces and explore their own views about a range of ideas linked to the real world.

Adhere to the National Curriculum giving all students the chance to develop an appreciation and love of reading as well as developing their ability to read critically. There are also opportunities throughout KS3 and KS4 to develop their writing skills so that they write more fluently, accurately and effectively for a range of purposes. Students will also be supported to develop their spoken language skills so that they can speak effectively and with confidence about a range of topics and for different purposes. 

Provide engaging lessons which enable students to learn new skills and knowledge which build on their prior knowledge. The exploration of texts and ideas in Key Stage 3 will give students the opportunity to engage with knowledge and concepts needed for successful study at Key Stage 4. In Year 7, for example, students will engage with a number of fiction and non-fiction texts on the theme of crime enabling them to develop an awareness of social injustice and inequality in Victorian society. They will build on this knowledge of social injustice in different societies in Year 8 when they explore ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and again in Year 9 when exploring the role of women in Literature. This spiralling of knowledge and awareness will give them the background needed to explore ideas surrounding injustice in the core texts currently studied for GCSE at Oakbank (A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet and Animal Farm).

Use assessment of students’ learning within, and across, sequences of lessons allowing them to learn from mistakes. Peer and self-marking will be used alongside feedback from expert teachers in English to help students and teachers to identify and address gaps in knowledge.

Achieve the highest possible results in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature and also prepare students for future study in post-16 courses within the English curriculum.

Ensure diversity is celebrated to ensure that all students feel welcomed, supported and valued. The choice of texts and topics within each scheme of learning will aim to celebrate this diversity and explore a range of topics and ideas helping them to find their voice in modern Britain.

Develop an array of reading strategies enabling them to read a range of texts with increasing confidence. This is achieved through the use of challenging texts within English lessons and the Accelerated Reader programme in Year 7 and 8 to help develop an appreciation and love of reading for pleasure.

KS3 Accelerated Reader Access Link

Accelerated reader pic

https://ukhosted119.renlearn.co.uk/1893570

Subject Documents Date  
English KS3/KS4 Curriculum 23rd Jul 2020 Download