Per fortnight: 7 Lessons (including 2 library lessons)

Year 7: We introduce students to the chronology of storytelling and literature. We begin with myths from across the world and of different faiths. We move on to ‘Beowulf’ and ‘The Canterbury Tales’ to understand the transition from oral storytelling to written language. Shakespeare then allows us to appreciate how written stories have spread throughout the world. The year ends with the exploration and analysis of a modern novel.

Year 8: Gives us the opportunity to look in greater depth at texts and the language that students need to experience before taking GCSE. They will look at Victorian literature and Gothic short stories. They will also study War literature to coincide with their studies in history. Pupils will analyse a range of poems from different cultures surrounding the theme of identity, before ending the year with a film unit. This not only allows students to apply their analytical skills to a different medium but also gives students a taste of potential future A Level courses.

Year 9: This sees the gradual transition into KS4. The focus of this year is ‘Power’. Students continue to build on their understanding of Shakespeare from year 7, with a closer study of a second Shakespeare play. Pupils will study a modern drama text to familiarise themselves with dramatic conventions and ‘power in the novel’ is then explored through a range of classic and modern texts. In the final term of year 9, students will be given their GCSE poetry anthology and begin their study of ‘Power and Conflict’ poetry for the GCSE Literature exam.

Year 10: This begins with non-fiction extracts relating to Victorian times. From this, we build skills to access Language exam papers and lead on to our study of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Students will then move on to study further poems from their ‘Power and Conflict’ Anthology. In term 3, Students will study the modern drama ‘An Inspector Calls’. To accompany this, there will also be non-fiction texts which consider power in society and allow language papers to be explored. In term 5, students will complete their study of poetry and prepare for their end-of-year PPEs.

Year 11: This final year is structured around two series of PPE exams. The first of these is in November. We start the year with the study of our Shakespeare text for Literature GCSE. This, along with a language paper, forms the November PPE. Students will then begin revision of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and language papers, ready for the February PPE. Following this, the rest of the year will be ongoing revision of knowledge, skills and exam techniques to prepare students for their final English Literature and English Language examinations.

All students will gain two qualifications: GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature (both AQA). Coursework is no longer required for the two courses.