English
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum vision applies to all our young people, regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation or ability.
It is our aim to inspire confident, motivated students who have a passion for learning and are fully equipped to contribute to society.
We offer a rich and diverse curriculum through which students are empowered to question and engage with a variety of viewpoints.
The English department stimulates creativity, challenging students to develop more sophisticated ways of communicating and expressing themselves.
We aim to nurture our students’ skills in reading, writing and oracy for both academic and personal success.
English is central to the curriculum, as the ability to understand and use language across a range of situations is empowering; this is what we aspire for for all our students: the power and confidence to make successful contributions beyond their time at Heworth Grange.
Knowledge and skills:
Through our curriculum, students:
- Develop a love of reading, experiencing a variety of genres and forms
- Build knowledge and understanding of the world around them through exposure to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts
- Will appreciate relevant social, historical and cultural contexts, and how they affect how a text is received
- Develop confidence in oracy, through a range of speaking and listening activities such as group work, individual presentation, role play, hot seating and debate.
- Develop confidence and fluency to self-regulate and work both collaboratively and independently in a safe and supportive learning environment.
- They will be challenged to take risks and develop a clear and personal voice, both written and orally, with which they can articulate their ideas.
- Supported by rich questioning and scaffolding, learners will develop critical awareness and the confidence to question texts and concepts.
- Will develop their creativity and the skill to craft and shape their own writing, using tier 2 and 3 vocabulary.
- Will appreciate the transferability of subject-specific knowledge and skills, and to utilise these to their advantage.
KS3 Curriculum Overview
Click on the document at the bottom of this page to view an easy-read version of the full curriculum overview.
GCSE English Language
Overview
English is a lesson for life, and we remind our pupils of its importance in the world beyond school. It is the subject which creates the foundation for vital communication skills. We value both personal and academic responses from our pupils, supporting them in becoming increasingly fluent in spoken and written communication. All KS4 pupils have the opportunity to discuss, analyse, listen to and challenge perceptions. We encourage pupils to question received ideas and detect bias. Above all, we want KS4 English to offer stretch and challenge centred on intellectual curiosity and enjoyment.
The qualification would naturally lead to A Level English Language or Literature, but in essence, English Language GCSE is a gateway qualification which is required to access further and higher education and employment.
Topics
Pupils will develop the following skills:
- The ability to read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding
- Read critically and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
- Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
- Use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately
- Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
Pupils will study the following areas of English Language:
- Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (Literature fiction and descriptive or narrative writing)
- Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
- Reading non-fiction texts and literary non-fiction texts
- Writing to present a viewpoint
Course Structure
There is no tiered entry, so all pupils sit the same examinations regardless of their ability. There are two exam papers:
- Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 minutes — 80 marks — 50% of final GCSE grade,
- Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 minutes — 80 marks — 50% of final GCSE grade,
- Non-examination component — Spoken Language (Separate endorsement 0% weighting of GCSE).
Additional Information & Who to Contact
Click here to view the English Literature Specification
If you require any further information or have any questions, then please contact Ms Tunnicliff on heworthgrangeenquiries@consilium-at.com
KS4 Curriculum Overview
Click on the document at the bottom of this page to view an easy-read version of the full curriculum overview.
GCSE English Literature
Overview
English Literature GCSE focuses upon supporting pupils' ability to think about morality and humanity, whilst studying their Literary Heritage and becoming critical thinkers. The interleaving of the two courses enables pupils to analyse the best in Literature, thus they read like writers and write like readers. The course leads directly to A Level Literature, however, it is also, like Language a gateway to any course or employment which requires communication or critical thinking.
Topics
Pupils will be developing the following skills through studying English Literature:
- Pupils should be able to maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response,
- To use textual references including quotations to support and illustrate interpretations,
- To analyse form, structure and language,
- To show the relationship between texts and their social, cultural and historical contexts,
- To use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect.
Pupils will study the following areas of Literature:
- Component 1 - Shakespeare and 19th century novel – pupils will study Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and A Christmas Carol
- Component 2 – Modern Drama and Poetry since 1879 – pupils will study An Inspector Calls and an anthology of Power and Conflict poetry alongside contemporary unseen poetry.
Course Structure
There is no tiered entry, so all pupils sit the same examinations regardless of their ability. There are two exam papers:
- Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 minutes — Closed texts — 64 marks — 40% of final GCSE grade,
- Paper 2 – 2 hours 15 minutes — Closed book — 96 marks — 60% of final GCSE grade.
Additional Information & Who to Contact
Click here to view the English Language Specification
If you require any further information or have any questions, then please contact Ms Tunnicliff on heworthgrangeenquiries@consilium-at.com
