Subject Information - English

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Year 7

Where the World Ends - This unit develops an understanding of literature analysis and uses this as a springboard for creative writing.

Heroes and Monsters -

This unit builds part of the cultural capital required for the study of English. It is used as a springboard for creative writing.

The Tempest - This unit introduces some of the key ideas associated with the study of Shakespeare. It introduces key contextual ideas relating to the colonised and coloniser.

Introduction to Poetry - This unit introduces some of the key language used when discussing poetry. Alongside this, students are encouraged to express their own ideas through poetry.

Persuasive Writing - This unit introduces non-fiction study and rhetoric. Students are encouraged to create and present their own speeches.

Year 8

Sherlock Holmes - This unit examines some of the key ideas associated with 19th Century fiction alongside a focus on writer’s skills, particularly characterisation.

The Gothic - This unit examines the Gothic and uses this as a springboard for creative writing.

Much Ado About Nothing - This unit builds on the students’ knowledge from Year 7. It introduces the key contextual knowledge of courtly love and the patriarchy. 

Identity - This unit reinforces the poetic knowledge gained in Year 7. Students examine their own identity through a diverse selection of poetry.

Persuasive Media - Students examine how through advertising and language the media can manipulate viewers.

Year 9

A View From the Bridge - This unit examines the hero’s downfall through the tragic protagonist.

Travel Writing - This unit examines how place and self are explored by writers.

War Poetry - This unit examines the lives and words of poets, particularly those of WWI, who have written about war and its effects.

Macbeth - This unit further develops knowledge of tragedy, writer’s intention and the analysis of language and character. 

Trapped! - This extract based unit uses modern fiction to explore race and gender in the modern world.

The Art of Rhetoric - This unit explores great speeches through a classical lens.

Year 10

An Inspector Calls - plot, character, theme, context, analysis and essay writing.

A Christmas Carol - plot, character, theme, context, analysis and essay writing.

English Language Paper 1 - Fiction reading and writing.

Power and Conflict Poetry 1 - poetic terms, theme, context, analysis and essay writing.

English Language Paper 2 - Non-fiction reading and writing.

Year 10 Mock Exams

Year 11

Romeo and Juliet - plot, character, theme, context, analysis and essay writing.

Power and Conflict - poetic terms, theme, context, analysis and essay writing.

Mock Exams

Unseen Poetry -  Poetry

Exams

Key Skills

Year 7

Simple

Year 8

Clear

Year 9

Confident

Year 10

Thoughtful

Year 11

Exploratory

Analysis

Simple thesis statement

References used, some use of quotations

Methods identified with simple explanation of writer’s intention

Some explanation of context or genre in relation to text

Some comparison between two texts

Clear thesis statement

Precise references used, quotations used consistently

Methods identified with clear explanation of writer’s intention

Clear explanation of context or genre in relation to text

Clear comparison between two texts

Confident thesis statement

Precise references used, a number of quotations used to support.

Confident explanation of the effect of methods linked to the writer's intention.

Confident explanation of context or genre in relation to text.

Confident comparison between two texts

Thoughtful thesis statement

Judicious references used, a number of quotations used to support.

Thoughtful analysis of the effect of methods linked to the writer's intention.

Thoughtful examination of context, with detailed links

Thoughtful comparison between two texts

Exploratory, conceptualised thesis

Judicious references used, a number of quotations used to support.

Exploratory analysis of the effect of methods linked to the writer's intention.

Exploratory examination, with detailed links

Exploratory comparison between two texts

Communication

Structure

Communicates with some sustained success

Some simple use of  writer’s methods.

Some consideration of overall structure 

Ideas are separated by paragraphs.

Communication is generally clear

Consistent and clear use of methods. 

Clear, logical structure. Ideas clearly linked.

Paragraphs are  accurate.

Developed communication

Effective use of a range of methods. 

Confident and controlled structure.

Paragraphs are accurate.  

Creative/ Detailed communication

Varied and complex methods used creatively. 

Creative use of structural devices to shape a text and achieve specific effects.

Creative use of paragraphing for effect. 

Sophisticated communication

Sophisticated and judicious selection of a wide range of methods, manipulated for effect. 

Sophisticated control of a judiciously selected structure.

Sophisticated and crafted paragraphing. Ideas cohesively crafted across the text.

Communication

SPAG

Attempts a range of sentence types

Varied vocabulary,

Accurate spelling of complex words

Confidence in sentence demarcation - use of full stop and comma secure. Other punctuation attempted.

A range of sentence types used accurately

Some sophisticated use of vocabulary

Increasingly accurate spelling of complex words

Sentences demarcated accurately. A varied range of punctuation is used, mostly accurately.

A range of sentence types used accurately, for effect

Consistently sophisticated use of vocabulary

Accurate spelling, including complex words

Sentences demarcated accurately. A varied range of punctuation is used, mostly accurately.

Creative use of sentence structures and openings

Extensive and ambitious vocabulary

Accurate spelling, including complex words

Sentences demarcated accurately. A varied range of punctuation is used, accurately.

Sophisticated crafting of sentence structures and openings

Extensive and ambitious vocabulary

Accurate spelling, including complex words

Sentences demarcated accurately. A varied range of punctuation is used, accurately.

Exam Board

AQA

Paper 1

Shakespeare and 19th Century text.

Romeo and Juliet

A Christmas Carol

Paper 2

Modern text and poetry.

An Inspector Calls

Power and Conflict Poetry

Unseen Poetry

Link to the Specification

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702/specification-at-a-glance