English

Mastering The English Language

Our English language provision is at the heart of all we do. We believe that developing our students as writers and speakers of the English language is key to their future success in the world of work. We are dedicated to fostering technical writing skills as well as our students’ creativity and our KS3 schemes are carefully constructed to ensure students gain reading and writing experience of a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and media texts prior to GCSE. We also believe that wider understanding of the world in which we live is a significant element of success as a producer of many forms of writing. In order to facilitate this wider knowledge, the Faculty is committed to encouraging the acquisition of both traditional library research skills as well as effective use of the Internet. All members of the Faculty share a strong belief in the importance of learning through talk. Whole class and group discussion are further mechanisms through which we promote our students’ interest and understanding of the ethical and philosophical aspect of the subject as well as extending their spoken English skills in order to further prepare them for their future lives

Developing Lovers of Literature

We seek to promote a genuine love of poetry, plays and prose amongst our students across the key stages. Through the selection of varied and challenging texts which are drawn from the literary cannon, our literary heritage as well as texts from other cultures and traditions, we hope to ensure that our students have the opportunity to experience the widest possible breadth of literature in English. As a Faculty, we have a particular interest in promoting literature from other cultures and are proud of our KS3 literature choices which encourage our students to engage in global issues. At KS4 teachers are given the freedom to select the examination texts which best suit the interests and skills of the learners in their care. As part of our A level Literature provision, we are committed to a bold interpretation of the coursework units in which our students are supported in independent, university-style study of novels of their own choice. We work closely with our Librarian, who is a significant and highly valued member of our Faculty. It is this close relationship which enables us to support reading for pleasure through library lessons and book groups.

Our English Language and Literature Curriculum

We follow the National Curriculum Programmes of study as set out by the DfE. First and foremost, our philosophy is one of inclusivity, but our end goal is for students to succeed at advanced level. Ultimately, we aim to develop students who use Language thoughtfully and read Literature appreciatively. 

The Leventhorpe English Language programme teaches students to:

• apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology and coherent written expression
• demonstrate a critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use
• analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning
• explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods
• demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways

The Leventhorpe English Literature programme teaches students to:

• articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression
• analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts
• demonstrate an understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received
• explore connections across literary texts
• explore literary texts informed by different interpretations

In Year 7 we encourage good study habits. We encourage students to present work neatly from the very start of the course, read for pleasure in our designated private reading time and we explicitly teach literacy. Literacy and private reading time continues in lessons until Year 10. We teach our students to analyse texts using the Point, Evidence, Effect (and Link) method, or “PEEL.”  They also write a mixture of fiction and nonfiction. We give our students the best diet of reading material we can: they read poetry from around the world and extracts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All students read Animal Farm, a text which the students can use to explore symbolism and allegory. We also use a film to inspire creative writing. Our assessment skills were adapted from the APP standards and we award our own Leventhorpe levels for consistency with other subjects across the school. 

In Year 8 we make students aware of the history of language in our Evolving English unit, adding to their understanding of word formation and tone. They experience more of our literary heritage through sampling the gothic in the form of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and 19th-century poetry. Students try out nonfiction writing genres, creating their own magazines, and study a modern play. 

In Year 9 we expose students to more challenging material. They are issued with their own copies of Romeo and Juliet they get much more of a whole-text experience. The 19th Century prose text in Year 9 is Oliver Twist, and students pick up on the 19th Century contextual knowledge they will later use at GCSE level. As well as a modern text and a film unit, we study Of Mice and Men, with its themes of toxic masculinity and discrimination. Context becomes an increasingly important factor in students’ analysis of literature.

By Year 10 the Eduqas specification dictates the content of our course. Here Literature and Language become more distinct, with separate exercise books and lessons timetabled for each. The whole cohort studies the same three texts: Macbeth, A Christmas Carol and Boys Don’t Cry, by Malorie Blackman. We teach the board’s poetry anthology in Year 11 before preparing for the mock exams in December and the final push for the end of the course. Alongside their study of literature texts, students are regularly exposed to the kinds of tasks they are expected to do on the GCSE Language papers: reading comprehension and writing. 

Over the last few years, many students have chosen to study both English Literature and English Language at A Level.  Here, we follow the AQA and OCR syllabuses, tightening around assessment objectives 1-5 and 6-10. 
 

Extra-Curricular Activities and Trips

Where possible we organize theatre trips to see texts the students are studying. We have a wealth of speakers, theatre groups and authors visiting the school annually. Any regular curriculum trips or occasions/ performances/ projects and competitions/visiting speakers at each key stage

• KS3: A Shakespeare production to support their work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• KS4: Theatre Trips and focused Literature revision days.
• Years 12/13: Theatre Trips and enrichment days such as visiting The British Library.

Curriculum Overview 2023