GCSE English Literature
INTENT
The English Literature curriculum at Edith Kay School is not only built towards success at GCSE, but also designed to imbed in our pupils an appreciation and evaluative curiosity of all different forms of literature. Whether pupils are studying Shakespeare, Orwell or John Agard, students will gain a firm understanding of how literary contexts can affect our interpretation of a text, be able to identify themes and maintain a critical and evaluative tone whilst discussing how authors have used language, form and structure to create meaning.
Implementation
Over one or two years, depending on the individual’s learning pathway, pupils will study a combination of 19th and 20th drama and prose, as well as a poetry anthology
including both contemporary and pre-19th century poems around the theme of ‘Power and Conflict’.
All texts studied are taken from the AQA GCSE English Literature specification. The possible texts pupils will study at Edith Kay School are:
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology.
These texts have been chosen due to the powerful themes and ideas which are presented throughout. They have also been designed to challenge pupils and generate thought provoking discussions around the ideas of power, identity, morality and conflict. Pupils will be encouraged to consider how these texts relate to both themselves and the world around them.
Impact
At the end of this course, pupils will be able to:
- Read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading
- Read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
- Develop the habit of reading widely and often appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
- Write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English
- Acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.
GCSE English Language
INTENT
GCSE English Language engages with a number of different texts, fiction and non-fiction from the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries, to strengthen pupil development as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
Through investigations of literature from various moments in our world, pupils will study the techniques writers use to highlight their interpretations of society. Thus, pupils will critically expose truths, lies, and grey areas along with the cultural implications of a wide range of texts.
Pupils practise expressing their insights on texts, as well as their understanding of the world through a variety of writing (analytical and creative) and spoken language.
Implementation
Specific units and lessons have been carefully planned with both the individual pupil in mind and through a skills-based approach to strengthen and support students so they can be successful in their GCSE qualification and other qualifications they may take.
Each unit focuses on the areas of study outlined in the AQA English Language Specification: Paper 1, Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing and Paper 2, Writers’ Viewpoints. The units key in on the different skills rooted in the AQA English Language curriculum (synthesis, analysis, comparing perspectives across texts, text evaluation, effective communication, and the effective use of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure) so students build mastery through each lesson.
Moreover, with a focus on project-based learning, pupils have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills built into each unit.
Finally, pupils are encouraged to make real-world connections with the literature and skills covered throughout each lesson.
Impact
The impact of the course together:
- Pupils of all abilities develop the skills they need to read, understand and analyse a wide range of different texts, as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures.
- Spoken Language: emphasise for pupils to understand the importance of the wider benefits that speaking and listening skills have for them.
- AQA GCSE qualification in English Language
- Pupils not taking the GCSE this year will have the opportunity to lay down the foundations of reading, writing, and conversation needed in order to be successful when they do take the GCSE or Entry Level and Foundational English courses.
- Pupils continue their growth as readers, writers, conversationalists, and, just as importantly, critical thinkers.
- Pupils enjoy a widening perspective on the world through diverse literature.
AS Level English Language
INTENT
Welcome to AS Level English Language. During the course, we will engage with a number of different texts (fiction and nonfiction, speeches, novels, short stories, and memoirs) to build our abilities as readers, writers, and critical thinkers with a specific emphasis on building opportunities to study English language and its use in communication.
As we investigate a wide array of forms, we will pay specific attention to language in order to enhance our ability to read and analyse material, gaining further knowledge and understanding of English language features and issues. Moreover, we will dive deeply into our own craft as we develop the skills of writing clearly, accurately, creatively and effectively for different purposes and audiences.
Throughout our course of study, we will:
- Enjoy the experience of studying English language
- Develop a critical and informed response to texts in a range of forms, styles and contexts produced for a variety of audiences
- Communicate effectively, creatively, accurately and appropriately in their writing
- Develop the interdependent skills of reading, analysis and research
- Develop an appreciation of concepts and techniques in the study of English language
- Build a firm foundation for further study of language and linguistics
Keeping the study of language at the forefront of all we do, we will strive to enter into conversation with the texts and authors we read, thus breathing new life into the literature we cover.
Implementation
Through carefully planned units and lessons, we will engage with the skills needed to be successful in the AS Level qualification.
Each unit focuses on a different set of skills as presented in the AS Level Cambridge English Language Curriculum (Paper 1: Reading and Paper 2: Writing):
- Sustaining accurate, fluent and consistent writing
- Producing informed responses appropriate to the specified form,
- style, context, and audiences
- Conveying knowledge and understanding from both specific examples and wider studies
- Through modelling and productive struggle, we will master each of the skills above.
Furthermore, project-based learning will present the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the skills covered in each unit while preparing for the questions rooted in the exam.
Finally, as we pursue each unit, active effort will be taken by all to connect each lesson to the world around us.
Impact
- Cambridge AS Level qualification in English Language
- Laying down the foundations of reading, writing, and conversation needed in order to be successful when presented with different forms of texts throughout life
- Growth as readers, writers, conversationalists and critical thinkers
- Widening perspectives of how language is used in everyday life and how we can use our mastery of language in everyday situations