English

At the heart of our English curriculum is the intention of providing students of all abilities with the solid foundation they need to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, skills which are fundamental to ensuring success in future career endeavours and within society.

Our curriculum is organised thematically, allowing students opportunities to explore a  vast range of both nonfiction and fiction forms. We deliver opportunities to raise debates and promote intellectual curiosity, inspiring and sparking students’ imaginations thus allowing them to cultivate their own styles of writing and to progress as critical thinkers.

By teaching an increasingly challenging range of text types, and exploring an array of writers, poets and authors we encourage students to develop a habit of reading, not just for information, but for pleasure and aim to highlight to students how writers are often inspired and influenced by the works of others, as well as the world around them. Students are encouraged to discover their own style and flair of writing and to develop their creativity through both written stimuli and visual prompts.

At Hertswood, we endeavour to inspire students and create a passion for literature by showing students that we can learn so much about human nature and experience through the written word, allowing us to relate to and empathise more with others. 

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, students explore the way in which writers use language to convey their ideas and respond to fiction, including poetry, prose and plays and non-fiction, from broadsheet newspapers to blogs. They have opportunities to practise planning and creating  their own compositions and expressing their ideas eloquently and clearly.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students further develop their reading and writing skills to a more sophisticated level and apply those skills to GCSE language exam practice. They also begin studying the GCSE literature exam texts: Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls and the AQA Power and Conflict poetry anthology.

Key Stage 5

After GCSEs, students meeting the entry requirements may continue with A Level English Literature or the combined A Level English Language and Literature. Both courses are extremely highly regarded at universities for the breadth of degree disciplines. The two year Literature linear course covers prose, poetry and drama from the sixteenth century to the present day. It explores different critical theories such as marxism, feminism and postcolonialism as well as exploring aspects of comedy and how writers use humour for effect. Students also undertake a non exam assessment forming 20% of the final mark.

Within the Language and Literature course, students will explore works for fiction and non-fiction and how writers shape meaning. Over the two years, they will explore poetic voices and dramatic form as well as works of classic literature such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. 

Independent Learning Resources

• The Knowledge
• Quizlet
• Google Classrooms
• Century online learning
• BBC Bitesize
• CGP Revision and Workbook

Useful Links

• British Library (www.bl.uk/learning/online-resources)
• The Victorian Web (www.victorianweb.org)
• Royal Shakespeare Company (www.rsc.org.uk)