Introduction

At The St Lawrence, we deliver a knowledge led ‘Mastery’ approach programme for all students from Yr7 – Yr11. The mastery approach is characterised by whole class teaching where depth of knowledge is valued over speed of learning. High expectations are crucial as mastery is built on the belief that all children can succeed and flourish and will support them in striving for excellence. This approach supports our mixed-ability teaching in years 7-9. Lots of daily, monthly and yearly recall and retrieval activities ensure content is revisited and fully mastered.

The curriculum content has clear development of knowledge and skills from Yr7 – Yr10, allowing time in Yr11 for more bespoke teaching according to the needs of individual classes. The main body of the texts studied supports success at GCSE, but a further, broader and more diverse range of texts is introduced each half term, or term, as class readers to stimulate and reward students. Wider learning is supported through extra curricular activities, enrichment and home learning. Each year is mapped out and shows clear development from term to term and year to year.

Our vision is to treasure all students by developing the knowledge, skills and understanding of our subject, wherever their starting point is. We hope to foster a love of language and literature whilst supporting their communication skills and transforming their learning experience. Finally, we aim to facilitate their growth as independent thinkers.

‘To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.’
Victor Hugo

KS3:

In Ks3, each year group studies a novel or short stories, a Shakespeare play and an anthology of poems that are divided into the three academic terms. They have an identified focus that is developed from one term to the next. This is known as the ‘Knowledge Mastery’. Alongside this, they have an identified skill that is also developed from one term to the next. This is known as the ‘Skill Mastery’. Finally, each has an ‘Expert Teacher’ that supports the teaching of this unit of study.

In year 7, the overall focus is characterisation. In term 1, students study Oliver Twist and explore the characters’ actions whilst being supported in creating effective points about them. In term 2, students study A Midsummer Nights’ Dream and explore how characters develop. They are given opportunities to identify alternative points using a range of adverbials. Finally, in term 3, students explore non-human characters in poetry and spend time evaluating the points that they make.

In year 8, the overall focus is plot. In term 1, students study Gothic Short Stories and explore the narrative arc whilst being supported in using evidence to explain. In term 2, students study The Tempest and explore how subplots works. They are given opportunities to add inferences to their explanations. Finally, in term 3, students explore narrative poetry from different cultures and spend time exploring the methods used by the writers in their explanations.

In year 9, the overall focus is themes. In term 1, students study Of Mice and Men and explore themes linked to characters whilst being supported in exploring reader responses. In term 2, students study Romeo and Juliet and explore how themes link to plot. They are given opportunities to explore author intent. Finally, in term 3, students explore conflict poetry and spend time making comparisons between poems and poets.

KS4:

In Ks4, all students prepare for their GCSEs in both Language and Literature. Our examining body is AQA. Here are the summaries of the specifications:

English Language

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

What’s assessed

  • Section A: Reading

· one literature fiction text

  • Section B: Writing

· descriptive or narrative writing

Assessed

  • written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE

Questions

  • Reading (40 marks) (25%)– one single text
  • 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
  • 1 extended question (1 x 20 marks)
  • Writing (40 marks) (25%)
  • 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

What’s assessed

  • Section A: Reading

· one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text

  • Section B: Writing

· writing to present a viewpoint

Assessed

  • written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 80 marks
  • 50% of GCSE

Questions

  • Reading (40 marks) (25%) – two linked texts
  • 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)
  • 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)
  • Writing (40 marks) (25%)
  • 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language

What’s assessed

  • presenting
  • responding to questions and feedback
  • use of Standard English
  • Assessed
  • teacher set throughout course
  • marked by teacher
  • separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)

English Literature:

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

What’s assessed

  • Shakespeare Play

· Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth

  • The 19th-century novel

· A Christmas Carol

How it’s assessed

  • written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 64 marks
  • 40% of GCSE

Questions

  • Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
  • Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

What’s assessed

  • Modern Prose or drama texts

· An Inspector Calls

  • The poetry anthology

· Power and Conflict

  • Unseen Poetry

How it’s assessed

  • written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes
  • 96 marks
  • 60% of GCSE

Questions

  • Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
  • Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
  • Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

In year 10, the overall focus is context. In term 1, students study A Christmas Carol and explore the context of society whilst linking context to any analysis, leading to a mock exam. Students also explore the format of Section A, Language Paper 1, leading to a mock exam. In term 2, students study Macbeth and explore philosophical context, leading to a mock exam. They are given opportunities to link context to tone and atmosphere. Students also explore the format of Section B, Language Paper 1, leading to a mock exam. Finally, in term 3, students explore power poetry and link context to writers’ message/s, leading to a mock exam. Students also explore the format of Section A, Language Paper 2, leading to a mock exam.

In year 11, the overall focus is exam preparation and bespoke revision, however, in term 1, students study An Inspector Calls and explore a range of different types of context, leading to a mock exam. Students also explore the format of SEction B, Language Paper 2, leading to a mock exam. In terms 2 and 3, students begin bespoke revision based on gap analysis of the mock papers.

Careers

Studying English will set you up to pursue careers in fields where communication and critical thinking are important. You’ll study complex, challenging issues and you’ll become an expert in reading, analysing and discussing written works that inspire you. You’ll also develop the skills to produce powerful writing and presentations in ways that engage and influence an audience.These skills are highly transferable, which means a qualification in English is well respected by potential employers and can lead to a successful career in various industries.

Here are some example of jobs you can do with an English qualification:

  • journalist
  • copywriter
  • teacher
  • paralegal
  • marketing executive
  • editor
  • museum curator
  • freelance writer
  • librarian
  • publisher
  • web editor
  • author
  • social media manager
  • PR manager