Curriculum Intent

Our English curriculum is built on the understanding that student investment in their learning is fundamental to their future success and development - as people - and that skills are domain-specific. 

Students’ study of English is grounded in English Literature because we believe that it is through the development of literary knowledge and experience that students develop the skills and contexts in which to become successful, instinctive and invested readers, writers and orators.

Across all key stages, students experience high-quality texts, including: full novels, short stories, non-fiction writing, poetry, modern drama and Shakespeare.  Our curriculum is curated to give students experience of a range of cultures, including opportunities to recognise the shared values of civilisation, including histories, mind-sets and contexts. By sharing with students a multitude of writers and genres, we are not only exposing them to the cultural capital they are entitled to, but are giving them the opportunity to respond to, understand and critique what they read as human beings.

By grounding skills in enriching knowledge, students will develop excellence and confidence, in reading, writing and talk. As such, students will not only become critical thinkers, but will develop a voice to articulate, and justify, these thoughts. Our curriculum intends to secure students’ investment in our subject area; it is driven by a desire to ensure students invest in themselves, and the role they play in the wider world. 

The links below take you to the 39 Week Plans for KS3,4 AND 5. 

No More Marking:

Across Key Stage 3, students take part in the No More Marking assessment. This is an assessment that takes place twice a year and students are asked to create a piece of writing, unaided, in response to an unseen stimulus. Over the last few years students have been asked to write about a variety of different topics in various formats. For example:  write a review on a film or book you have recently read or watched or write an article about a famous celebrity who has inspired you . The students have one hour to complete the task and their classroom teacher cannot help them in any way. 

The work that students complete is then scanned into the No More Marking system and is marked by a comparative judgement. This judgement is not only made by members of staff at our school, but also by educators up and down the country. This means that the data is robust and reliable. When all student work has been marked, each pupil is given a SAS score, a writing age and attainment standard. When we receive this data, we will format it and send it home so that you can celebrate the achievements of your child.

Over the last few years, we have consistently shown that our students are writing above the national average in all categories, and we are immensely proud of our students. If you wish to find out more about the No More Marking process, please follow this link to their blog: The No More Marking Blog