In Year 7, pupils begin an exciting and enriching journey through literature, designed to spark curiosity, develop critical thinking and nurture a lifelong love of reading and writing.

The year starts with a study of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, where pupils explore themes such as social class and ambition, identity and self-discovery, and the power of friendship and loyalty. Through this classic text, they learn how literature can both reflect and challenge the values of society, while building essential skills in inference and textual analysis.

Next, pupils move on to a non-fiction unit focused on environmental issues and climate change. They will engage with a variety of articles, speeches and reports that present different perspectives on these global challenges. This unit develops their ability to identify bias, evaluate evidence and understand how language can influence opinion. Pupils will also practise writing their own persuasive and informative pieces, learning to express ideas clearly and with purpose.

In the spring term, pupils explore a diverse collection of poetry from a range of cultures and traditions. They will study how poets use language, structure and imagery to convey powerful emotions, capture significant moments and explore universal human experiences such as identity, belonging and resilience.

The year concludes with a vibrant introduction to Shakespeare through A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Pupils explore the play’s themes of imagination, transformation and mistaken identity, while gaining familiarity with Shakespearean language and dramatic conventions. This final unit provides a joyful and accessible entry point into the world of Shakespeare, laying the groundwork for future study.

Throughout the year, pupils are encouraged to read widely, write creatively, and engage thoughtfully with texts, building the foundational skills they will need for success in Key Stage 3 and beyond.

In Year 8, pupils build on the strong foundations established in Year 7, engaging with increasingly complex texts and ideas. The focus is on developing critical thinking, refining written accuracy and responding thoughtfully to a wide range of literary and non-fiction material.

The year begins with a study of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where pupils explore themes of power, control and resistance. Through this allegorical novel, they examine how literature can be used to reflect political ideologies and challenge societal structures, while refining their skills in interpretation and argument.

Following this, pupils move into a non-fiction unit on the theme of adventures around they world. They encounter a variety of writers’ perspectives on exploration, adventure and cultural encounters. This unit develops their ability to evaluate viewpoints, identify rhetorical strategies and understand how language shapes opinion. Pupils also enhance their persuasive writing skills, crafting responses that are clear and purposeful.

In the spring term, pupils study a diverse collection of poetry about relationships, exploring themes such as love, family, friendship and identity. Through close reading and discussion, they learn how poets use language, structure and form to create atmosphere, convey emotion and communicate deeper meanings. Pupils will examine a range of voices and cultural perspectives, considering how relationships shape human experience.

The year concludes with a study of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Pupils investigate themes of love, fate and family conflict, while becoming more confident in navigating Shakespearean language and dramatic structure. This unit offers a deeper engagement with character development and dramatic tension, preparing pupils for more advanced literary study.

Throughout the year, pupils are encouraged to read widely, express themselves creatively, and engage in meaningful discussion, building the analytical and communication skills essential for success at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Year 9 marks a pivotal stage in our English curriculum, where pupils begin to engage with more mature themes and sophisticated texts that challenge their thinking and deepen their understanding of the world around them. This year is designed to prepare students for the demands of GCSE study by encouraging independence, critical reflection and confident communication.

The year opens with Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of racial inequality, identity and social justice. Pupils examine how narrative structure, characterisation and viewpoint are used to provoke empathy and raise awareness of systemic issues, while developing their ability to construct analytical arguments.

Following this, pupils move into a non-fiction unit about inspirational people, that encourages them to engage with real-world issues and diverse perspectives. They will explore a range of texts including articles, speeches and opinion pieces, designed to challenge their thinking and develop their ability to analyse how writers shape meaning and influence audiences. This unit supports pupils in refining their skills in evaluating arguments, comparing viewpoints and crafting their own responses with clarity, purpose and confidence.

In the spring term, pupils study a curated selection of poetry that explores conflict. They analyse how poets use language and form to respond to adversity and express powerful emotions, while developing their own interpretations and responses.

The year concludes with Shakespeare’s Othello, offering pupils the opportunity to explore complex themes such as jealousy, manipulation and reputation. Through this tragedy, pupils engage with dramatic tension, character psychology and the impact of language, gaining deeper insight into Shakespeare’s craft and relevance.

Throughout Year 9, pupils are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning, read widely across genres, and express themselves with increasing sophistication, laying the groundwork for a confident transition into Key Stage 4.

During Years 10 and 11, pupils follow the Eduqas GCSE specifications for both English Language and English Literature, engaging with a wide range of texts and developing the analytical, interpretive and communication skills essential for academic success and life beyond school.

In English Literature, pupils study four core texts:

• Macbeth by William Shakespeare in which pupils explore ambition, power and fate through dramatic structure and language.
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in which pupils examining themes of redemption, social responsibility and transformation.
• An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley in which pupils analyse social class, responsibility and dramatic irony in a post-war context.
• A selection of fifteen poems from the Eduqas Poetry Anthology, covering themes such as conflict, love, identity and nature. Pupils learn to compare poems and explore how poets use language, form and structure to convey meaning.

In English Language, pupils study a broad range of literary fiction and literary non-fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. They practise responding to unseen extracts, developing skills in comprehension, analysis and evaluation. Pupils also refine their own writing, learning how to craft texts for different purposes and audiences with accuracy, creativity and control.

Throughout both courses, pupils are encouraged to:

• Use critical material to deepen their understanding of texts.
• Articulate personal interpretations with clarity and sophistication.
• Analyse how writers use language and structure to influence readers.
• Practise unseen poetry analysis and develop comparative skills.

The curriculum is designed not only to prepare pupils thoroughly for their final examinations, but also to foster a lifelong appreciation of literature and the power of language.