If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for. If it is worth experiencing, it is worth putting aside time for. 

- Oscar Wilde

English Language is the vital backbone for all other areas of study in the curriculum. It is an international language and GCSE qualification in the subject is a requirement for many careers.

Our English curriculum equips our pupils with the skills to become competent readers, writers and effective communicators. Through the facilitation of discussion and exploration of a variety of engaging texts, we develop and extend our pupils’ prior knowledge and provide them with the key skills needed to be successful at GCSE and beyond. Studying English Language enables pupils to improve their metacognitive abilities and critical thinking skills which are vital for onward progression.

Pupils will be able to use English in a clear, pragmatic and confident way in the workplace and in social interactions. English Language study is intended to build creativity, imagination, persuasive techniques and a flair for use of the written word, thereby enriching the experience and enjoyment of life.

Believe, Achieve, Exceed: 

In English at KS4, our contribution to the BELIEVE curriculum is through exploring SMSC through the texts studied and questions posed. We consider BV and Career possibilities when examining characters and lifestyles in the texts. For example, in a creative writing exercise we would examine a photograph of an old man and try to construct his background story and what may have happened to him over his lifetime. English contributes to the ACHIEVE curriculum by being a core subject. All of our pupils are able to study GCSE English Language and will have the opportunity to achieve accreditation at the end of year 11. The study of English GCSE contributes to the EXCEED curriculum by giving the pupils lifelong skills of communication in and understanding of English. This enables them to continually enhance their cultural capital and develop understanding of the wider world.

KS3:

In KS3 our pupils are with us for a 12-week programme. We have mixed groups in years 7 through 9. Lessons are engaging and stimulate interest. Our focus is primarily on improving and fostering an enjoyment of reading. We use Reciprocal Reading techniques to help improve the confidence of our pupils who often arrive at MMAP believing their reading skills are poor, when all they really lack is confidence. Reciprocal reading encourages pupils to question a text, predict what will happen, clarify what has happened and question in relation to other texts/the real world. Reciprocal reading also helps improve pupils' comprehension of texts, interpretation, and metacognitive abilities.

English lessons are made up of four or five different activities designed to improve comprehension and engagement. One of these activities is participation in a comprehension-based reading programme called Read Theory. Pupils complete 3 – 5 ‘Quizzes’ through reading a passage and answering questions using inference and critical thinking. Differentiation in lessons is addressed through scaffolding, a TA is on hand to assist learners of lower ability to carry out the same tasks as the rest of the group where at all possible, by offering help and assistance, then gradually withdrawing as the pupil grows in confidence. We use this more individualised approach to give our pupils the knowledge and skills needed for successful reintegration. 

KS4:

In KS4 all pupils study AQA GCSE English Language. The plan below shows the topics studied over years 10 and 11.