Our English Curriculum
At Whickham we believe that the study of English Language and Literature can empower all students with the skills needed to understand the world around them. Oracy, written communication and the ability to decode writing are fundamental tools in accessing higher education and the world of work. Perhaps most importantly, we see English as a way in which our students can understand and empathise with the complexities of human experience, and the gateway to finding their own voice in an ever-changing world.
Our curriculum has been judiciously sequenced from KS3 to KS5 to ensure that all students are exposed to an extensive range of diverse, engaging and challenging texts, and that our study of texts at KS3 builds towards examinations at KS4 and 5. At all key stages we prioritise the reading of whole texts and nurture our students’ understanding of social and historical context.
The purpose of our English curriculum is twofold:
- To enable every student to develop essential language and communication skills in reading, writing and oracy, building on an already strong foundation of skills and knowledge acquired at Key Stage 2
- To give every student the opportunity to learn to appreciate language and develop a love of literature for themselves, with the view that this will be a lifelong experience.
Across KS3, students are exposed to a varied, rich and engaging variety of texts – designed to help them enhance the fundamental skills of reading and writing confidently and convincingly, with literacy embedded throughout their studies. Students study a wide range of material from a variety of genres, including poetry, plays, novels and non-fiction texts. Students also have the opportunity to celebrate diverse voices, and develop their own individual voice – both in writing and oracy.
English Learning Journey
Curriculum Overviews:
Across KS3, students are exposed to a varied, rich and engaging variety of texts – designed to help them enhance the fundamental skills of reading and writing confidently and convincingly, with literacy embedded throughout their studies. Students study a wide range of material from a variety of genres, including poetry, plays, novels and non-fiction texts. Students also have the opportunity to celebrate diverse voices, and develop their own individual voice – both in writing and oracy.
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Our 5 year plan:
Parents and carers:
You do not need to be an English expert to help your child with their English homework and revision!
Watch your emails and for announcements on Class Charts throughout the year for key information about assessments, including dates and the bespoke revision sessions we offer at KS4.
Your child has full access to all of the content on our English revision page which can help to refresh their memory when completing English homework or revision for assessments. We have also made KS4 loom videos to support with GCSE content – please encourage your child to watch this material. Likewise, it can also be helpful to support you to learn more about the exam. Classroom teachers have recorded our top tips and advice for approaching each exam question.
English teachers are also available outside of lesson time to help with homework, and we encourage your child to come and speak to us if they need to.
Parents of Year 10 and 11 children may find the information below helpful to support your child with their upcoming English assessments and summer GCSE exams.
Please remember that you can contact your child’s English teacher should you have any questions or concerns; we are always happy to help!
