English
The English Faculty is a large and thriving one which consists of eleven qualified specialist teachers who see the subject as vital in its own right and essential in helping students to access the rest of the curriculum. Every member of the team is proud to offer positive and dynamic learning opportunities within each of their own well-resourced rooms, for all students to develop their creative and critical reading, imaginative writing skills, and effective oracy for life. Teachers enjoy excellent relationships with the students they work tirelessly with to ensure they excel and reach their potential. Intervention is commonplace, with teachers working closely with small groups to ensure all students reach their potential.
We are very proud of our students' high level of success in GCSE examinations and historically we have enjoyed impressive results well above the national averages. This is a result of the quality first teaching and learning which is at the heart of the team's collaborative, hardworking and innovative approach.
English is fortunate to be based within its own building which also houses the school’s well-stocked library managed by two committed librarians. The faculty works closely with the library to coordinate long-established book clubs and host a variety of author visits and events.
Encouraging students to read for pleasure is at the heart of our English curriculum. We embed independent reading into our Key Stage 3 lessons, encouraging students to make use of Crispin’s library.
We also expect students to be reading regularly at home as an integral part of their extended learning. An advisory reading list is available here to help students make the transition from children’s to Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction. We also have a recommended list of effective texts for more reluctant readers here.
english curriculum journey 2023.pdf
english curriculum handbook.pdf
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow a popular KS3 knowledge-rich programme to enable them to develop their English skills for life. This includes studying an exciting range of contemporary and classic literary prose, poetry, and drama texts, including Shakespeare. Students are taught to analyse and critique writers’ agendas in a variety of non-fiction texts, as well as developing their written and verbal communication, enabling students to articulate their ideas effectively and confidently.
In Years 7 and 8, students are taught in mixed ability groups as part of ensuring effective transition from Key Stage 2. Additionally, one lesson is dedicated literacy lesson where students read for pleasure in the library and complete activities based on their reading. These lessons promote a life-long love of reading which will also help students to develop their skills across the curriculum.
Year 7 & Year 8 Units of Study | ||
Term | Year 7 | Year 8 |
Autumn Term |
Autobiographical Critical Reading & Writing
'King's Speech Oracy Project' |
‘Noughts and Crosses’ – Dominic Cooke’s drama adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s novel
Representation of Christmas in the Media |
Spring Term |
Family Dynamics in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and other Shakespearean Plays’
‘War Horse’ by Michael Morpurgo |
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne
Gothic Synoptic |
Summer Term |
EOY7 Exam Preparation
Investigative Journalism |
EOY8 Exam Preparation
‘Don’t Get Me Started!’ Rhetoric in Famous Speeches |
Year 9
In Year 9, students move to sets so that they can hone their skills and enrich their knowledge further. The modules in Year 9 build on the previous knowledge and skills that students have been taught, as well preparing them for further academic study at Crispin and beyond. Students continue to explore a range of fiction and non-fiction texts from the 17th century to the modern day, enabling students to analyse how society’s attitudes change and progress over time.
Year 9 Units of Study | |
Autumn Term |
Novella Study: 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Victorian Villains and Heroes |
Spring Term |
Different Cultures in Fiction and Non-Fiction
‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley |
Summer Term |
EOY9 Exam Preparation
Representation of War in Fiction, Non-Fiction and Media |
lit texts rationale 2021 002 .pdf
GCSE
All pupils in Key Stage 4 study both English Language and Literature GCSEs. The two courses are taught fluidly in set-ability classes to ensure a creative, holistic approach to the demands of the new GCSE specification. Students will be set specific extended learning tasks to complete at home which could involve quote learning, exam practices, re-reading of set texts, and creation of revision resources. These are ongoing priorities across the two-year course and we do expect students to take responsibility for their own extended learning.
Year 10 & Year 11 Units of Study | ||
Term | Year 10 | Year 11 |
Autumn Term |
Attitudes to War in Poetry
|
Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’
Preparation for Y11 Mock – GCSE Literature, Paper 1 – Shakespeare and 19th Century
Unseen Poetry |
Spring Term |
Preparation for Y10 Mock - GCSE Lang, Paper 2 - Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives
Nature vs. Man in Poetry
Understanding Unseen Creative Texts – 20th/21st Century Literature |
Revision of Priestley’s ‘AIC’
|
Summer Term |
Culture and Identity in Poetry
Speaking and Listening NEA |
Explicit Exam Preparation for GCSE Language and GCSE Literature |
Students will be assessed through linear exams at the end of a two year GCSE course. There are two terminal exams for GCSE English Language and two terminal exams for GCSE English Literature. The Examination Board for all qualifications is AQA.
GCSE English Language:
Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing – 50% of qualification - Summer 2021 (TBC)
Paper 2: Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives – 50% of qualification - Summer 2021 (TBC)
GCSE English Literature:
Paper 1: Shakespeare & 19th century novel – 40% of qualification - Summer 2021 (TBC)
Paper 2: Modern prose/drama & poetry – 60% of qualification - Summer 2021 (TBC)
More information on these courses can be found here
Past paper and example exam questions can be found here
As well as leaving school with two GCSE English qualifications, students are also required to have a Spoken Language endorsement (Pass, Merit, or Distinction) which reflects their ability to speak and discuss in a formal situation. At the end of Year 10, students deliver a presentation to the group on a topic of their choice and then to respond to questions from their peers and class teacher.
Outside the Classroom
As well as striving for success in examinations, the faculty’s priority is to foster a love of literature; an appreciation of what can be achieved through language and secure creativity in our students. As such, we offer a number of enrichment opportunities within the subject.
Theatre Visits
Years 9 and 10 attended Bristol Old Vic’s theatrical adaptation of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Year 10 visited Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre in September 2019 to attend Stephen Daldry’s award winning adaptation of J.B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’.
Competitions and Conferences
Internal and national writing competitions are often promoted from within the faculty and likewise there are regular reading challenges designed to promote a love of reading across the key stages. Our students also enjoy opportunities to attend conferences and workshops, as well as participate in regional and national competitions.
Author Visits
During the academic year, we may get opportunities to invite visiting authors and poets to work with students or to offer workshops designed to assist specific year groups with their learning. Students respond extraordinarily well to these fun and exciting opportunities.
In March 2019, Year 10 students were fortunate enough to benefit from a visit by award winning poet, Hollie McNish. Hollie is the author of five books of poetry, she won the 2016 Ted Hughes award for New Work in Poetry and was U.K. Slam Champion in 2009. She is well known for her ability to engage with live audiences and for her work with young people. Strode have been lucky enough to host Hollie previously and students have been delighted by her taboo-breaking approach, both in terms of questioning what poetry is and exploring topics that cut close to the bone.
Last Updated: July 2023