English

The English Curriculum focuses on the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking using a number of different types of texts. Students develop these skills in Key Stage 3 to prepare them for their studies of GCSE English Language and Literature. Emphasis is placed on the enjoyment of the subject through the study of texts from a wide range of places and times and students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the range of co-curricular activities on offer.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

The Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to provide a broad, challenging and creative experience of reading, writing, speaking and listening with an emphasis on whole texts, collaboration and independence through a range of novels, poetry, plays and nonfiction texts. This approach also aims to prepare students for the demands of GCSE English Language and English Literature by developing confidence and enjoyment.

Areas of study include: 

• The modern novel
• The modern play
• The 19th century novel
• Shakespearean comedy
• Poetry
• Autobiographical texts
• Speeches
• Media texts

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11 GCSE)

All students are examined in English Language and English Literature, studying the AQA 9-1 syllabus.The English Language GCSE course encourages students to develop as independent critical readers who are able to come to their own conclusions. There is an emphasis placed on speaking and listening which helps promote resilience in skills which some may find more challenging. The English Literature course requires students to study a demanding selection of literature, with increasing emphasis on the understanding and incorporation of context, together with the ability to respond to unseen poetry. 

Texts studied include: 

• Lord of the Flies
• Macbeth 
• Poetry Anthology

GCSE English Language Specification

GCSE English Literature Specification

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13 A Level) - please note only English Literature is offered

Students are required to have gained at least a grade 6 in English Literature GCSE to be eligible to take this course at A Level

Students follow the English Literature A AQA course which is 80% exam-based with a coursework element worth 20%. The intent of the course is to give students a clear development from GCSE ensuring that their confidence as independent and critical readers grow. Students are taught primarily through a historicist lens, always encouraged to understand the various contexts in which texts are read. The course teaches skills in reading, writing and research which promote student progression into whatever their next steps may be. The course gives the opportunity to read across many different periods of English Literature giving students the chance to develop a great knowledge of a range of texts whilst developing their own interests.

Students will be taught by two teachers throughout the course with staff liaising to manage the workload coming from English.

Students are encouraged to attend external lectures, workshops and theatre productions to support their studies.  

Areas of study include: 

• Love Through the Ages (to include a Shakespeare play, a novel and poetry) - 40%
• Modern Literature: 1945 to the present day - 40%
• Literature Post 1900 Coursework - 20% (one 2,500 essay comparing two texts)

A Level English Literature Specification

Co-curricular activities

• Author Visits
• Book Club
• Challoner’s Speaks Competition
• Creative Writing Club
• Drama Club
• Senior Play
• Student Journalism Team
• Summer Play
• Various theatre trips and visits covering course content