English

Students in our primary provision access literacy at their own level as part of individualised plans for each student.

KS3 Curriculum Overview

Our KS3 students study a stimulating, rolling programme of literacy and literary topics designed to build skills, self-esteem and confidence across reading, writing, speaking and listening. A baseline assessment is used upon entry to the centre in order to diagnose any missing areas of knowledge. Students are then placed onto a programme of English study which is tailored to meet their individual needs. Our programme of study is designed to close knowledge gaps whilst securing a firm foundation in preparation for further English study at KS4. Additionally, in order prepare students for the GCSE English Language curriculum, students are introduced to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts drawn from the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries.

KS4 Curriculum Overview

Our KS4 students study a stimulating, rolling programme of literacy and literary topics in preparation for the AQA GCSE in English Language. This programme has been designed as a roll on, roll off provision so that students can access the skills necessary in order to close knowledge gaps. A baseline assessment is used upon entry to the centre in order to diagnose any missing areas of knowledge. Students are then placed onto a programme of English study which is tailored to meet their individual needs. For students who need additional support with accessing the full GCSE, a ‘Step Up To English’ qualification is offered in Year 10. This is structured to develop the skills needed to read and understand a range of fiction and non-fiction texts to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts drawn from the 19^th, 20^th and 21^stCenturies.

Some students study functional skills reading, writing and speaking and listening at level 1 to maximise the chances of success. Functional skills qualifications are recognised by further education providers and employers on the Island.

2015 – 2016

	Topics Covered
Autumn 1	Mission not Impossible Exploring how writers use language, structure, grammar for effect Studying setting, plot and characterisation Making critical comparisons across texts Exploring genre Using language imaginatively and creatively Adapting language, structure and grammar for effect Writing for purpose: focus on describe Grammar focus: developing the use of connectives
Autumn 2	Language is Power Exploring how writers use language, structure, grammar for effect Using a range of persuasive devices across different contexts and audiences Scan and skim reading Writing effectively for specific audiences and purposes: performance Employing a range of rhetorical devices Writing for purpose: focus on persuasive devices Grammar focus: vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect and use correct spelling
Spring 1	Nature vs Nurture Focus on non-fiction genres Synthesizing information from text and adapting for writing Exploring inference and deduction Structuring a formal argument Developing personal writing: monologue, diary, blog to express own views and opinions Exploring different narrative perspectives Creating a writer’s ‘voice’ Using logical connectives Grammar focus: select appropriate and effective vocabulary. Construct paragraphs and use cohesion within and between paragraphs

Spring 2

Going Goth

Poetry reading skills: performance and interpretation
Poetic devices and form
Comparisons across different eras
Developing a creative response: poetry and story
Using poetic devices
Experimenting with narrative perspective
Changes in grammatical patterns over time, using multi-clause sentences
Grammar focus: compound and subordinating connectives

Summer 1

Celebrity/Vanity

Creation of an text based image
Language of flattery and approval
Infer and deduce character
Using formal and informal styles as appropriate
Grammar focus: paragraphing for effect

Summer 2

I don’t want to survive – I want to live

Creation of a sense of struggle
Collating ideas from a range of sources using comparative analysis
Grammar focus: bringing experiences and places to life through language and grammar choices

2016 – 2017

Topics Covered

Autumn 1

Solving the unsolvable

Formal written styles and conventions
Using text structures and sentence forms for effect
Writing for purpose: focus on explanation
Reading for clues, making predictions, skimming, scanning and summarising
Grammar focus: write with technical accuracy of syntax and punctuation in phrases, clauses and sentences.

Autumn 2

The Propaganda Machine

Exploring how writers use language, structure, grammar for effect
Using a range of persuasive devices across different contexts and audiences
Scan and skim reading
Writing effectively for specific audiences and purposes: performance
Employing a range of rhetorical devices
Writing for purpose: focus on persuasive devices
Grammar focus: vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect and use correct spelling

Spring 1	Rights vs Responsibilities Exploring how writers use language, structure, grammar for effect Studying setting, plot and characterisation Developing PEE structures Grammar focus: constructing paragraphs and using cohesion within and between them.
Spring 2	Adrenalin Summarising key concepts across texts Writing for purpose: focus on advise and instruct Experimenting with a multi-media response Write imaginative, interesting and thoughtful texts.
Summer 1	Islands Exploring how writers use language, structure, grammar for effect Studying setting, plot and characterisation from different periods Making critical comparisons across texts Exploring how writers use language imaginatively and creatively Adapting language, structure and grammar for effect Writing for purpose: focus on describe Grammar focus: developing the use of connectives
Summer 2	Armchair Traveller Exploring how writers use language for purpose and audience Explore how to skim read for facts and cross referencing between texts Writing for purpose: focus on vivid description Creating a sense of place Grammar focus: editing and proof reading for accuracy