English
Useful Resources and Revision Support |
The study of English is essential in terms of helping individuals develop understanding and communicate successfully with the world.
Beginning in Year 9, students will study for two qualifications: AQA GCSE English Language and AQA GCSE English Literature.
The AQA English Language course engages students in creative texts and inspires them to write creatively themselves. Students also explore how writers have particular viewpoints and perspectives on issues or themes that are important to the way we think and live our lives and will produce their own written texts in response to this.
The AQA English Literature course encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking. Through a study of set texts, students have a chance to develop culturally and acquire knowledge of the best that has been thought and written. Students at BGS will study Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, the 'Power and Conflict' anthology of poetry, and unseen poetry.
Enrichment
The Department runs subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational events throughout the year such as World Book Day and a variety of Author visits. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge.
In GCSE and A Level exam years revision sessions are offered to consolidate learning.
Assessment
Formative internal assessments take place throughout each scheme of work to monitor pupil progress. Formal assessments, marked in line with GCSE mark schemes, are completed approximately every half-term. These including mock exam weeks. This information is then used to inform further teaching and learning, intervention, and reported to parents and carers.
KS4 Exam Board Specifications:
AQA GCSE English Language (8700) >>
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) >>
Curriculum Overview
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
|
Topic 1 - Modern Novel (either Private Peaceful or The Book Thief Topic 2 - Imaginative writing (to include writing stories and descriptions) Topic 3 - Shakespeare's Villains (looking at how Shakespeare creates villains in a number of different plays) Topic 4 - Media and Non-Fiction writing (covering a range of non-fiction writing including: newspaper articles, speeches, letters) Topic 5 - Poetry |
Topic 1 - Poetry from other cultures and traditions Topic 2 - Macbeth (the study of the whole play) Topic 3 - Classic text (as decided by the teacher but could be Sherlock Holmes, Animal Farm) Topic 4 - Non-Fiction writing (covering a range of non-fiction writing including: newspaper articles, speeches, letters) Topic 5 - Modern play (as decided by the teacher but could be Noughts and Crosses or War Horse |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
English Language: AQA Paper 1 skills:
AQA Paper 2 skills:
English Literature: An Inspector Calls Introduction to Romeo and Juliet Power and Conflict Poetry (Conflict poems) |
English Language: AQA Paper 1 skills:
AQA Paper 2 skills:
English Literature: Romeo and Juliet Unseen Poetry Power and Conflict Poetry (Power poems) |
English Language: AQA Paper 1 skills – Creative Writing and Reading Fiction AQA Paper 2 skills – Non-Fiction Reading and Writing Exam skills and preparation English Literature: A Christmas Carol Revision of Romeo and Juliet Revision of An Inspector Calls Revision of Power and Conflict Poetry Unseen Poetry Exam skills and preparation |
