English at KS3

books in a library

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please contact the Head of Department.

Course ID
N/A
Faculty
English
Department
English
Level
Key Stage 3
Head of Faculty
M. Parfitt
Head of Department
A. Denny

Our KS3 English curriculum is underpinned by the four strands of literacy skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Students develop their skills in order to communicate clearly and effectively in social and academic situations. Students will aim to demonstrate proficient use of all four literacy skills through a variety of literature and language topics and fortnightly lessons of the ‘Let’s Think in English’ programme. Units of work are designed to engage and encourage our students to enjoy English. Through the enjoyment of lessons, students can apply the knowledge and skills not only to examinations at KS4/5, but for life beyond school, contributing to the development of our students as well-rounded individuals. Students will study a range of both modern and pre-19th century texts including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama and media texts. Students will engage in varied class activities including group discussions, class presentations as well as exposure to wider school literacy initiatives and events. For example, author visits, reading competitions and Library activities which aim to develop and establish a whole school reading culture and enjoyment of English.

Curriculum Termly Breakdown by Year

Year 7

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 One of the following:
Towers Falling, Dark Ride, Room 13, Freak the Mighty, City of Ember, Private Peaceful, The Goldfish Boy, Ghost Boys
Character analysis diary entry
Autumn 2 The Power of Persuasion:
Travel Writing, Entertainment, Advertisement
Review writing
Spring 1 Heroes and Villains (one of the following):
The Demon Headmaster, Oliver Twist, Anansi
Script writing
Scene performance
Spring 2 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Extract analysis
Creative writing
Summer 1 Modern Poetry Poem analysis
Creative writing
Summer 2 One of the following:
Towers Falling, Dark Ride, Room 13, Freak the Mighty, City of Ember, Private Peaceful, The Goldfish Boy, Ghost Boys
Speech writing

 

Year 8

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 One of the following:
Trash, The Hunger Games, 928 Miles From Home, Exodus, Noughts and Crosses, Stone Cold
Theme analysis
Letter writing
Autumn 2 Social Media Article writing
Spring 1 Gothic (one of the following):
Flesh and Blood, Frankenstein, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde
Script writing
Scene performance
Spring 2 The Tempest Extract analysis
Creative writing
Summer 1 Poetic Form Poem analysis
Creative writing
Summer 2 One of the following:
Trash, The Hunger Games, 928 Miles From Home, Ghost Boys, Exodus, Noughts and Crosses, Stone Cold
Speech writing

 

Year 9

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 One of the following:
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Animal Farm, Boys Don’t Cry, Woman in Black, Salt to the Sea
Setting analysis
Article writing
Autumn 2 Dangers and Disasters:
The Titanic
Letter writing
Spring 1 Musical:
Blood Brothers
Theme analysis
Script writing
Spring 2 Romeo and Juliet Extract analysis
Creative writing
Summer 1 Taking a Stand – Poetry Anthology Comparative essay
Summer 2 One of the following:
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Animal Farm, Boys Don’t Cry, Woman in Black, Salt to the Sea
Speech writing

 

Extended Learning

Year 7

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
BBC Bitesize English Library recommended reading lists. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; British Library Exhibitions; theatre productions; films based on novels. Creative Writing Club.

 

Year 8

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
BBC Bitesize English Library recommended reading lists. Newspaper articles, modern fiction,
Greek mythology.
Theatre productions of Shakespeare; modern theatre; film adaptations of texts e.g. Agatha Christie stories, Greek Myths; TED Talks; British Library exhibitions. Creative Writing Club.

 

Year 9

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
BBC Bitesize English Library recommended reading lists; Shakespeare texts ; pre-1900s texts; modern fiction; newspaper articles. Theatre productions of Shakespeare; modern theatre; film adaptations of texts e.g. Oliver Twist, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men; British Library exhibitions; TED Talks. Creative Writing Club.