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English
At Holte School, we, the English department intend to provide our pupils with the best start in life regardless of any barriers they face. Thus, pupils will leave Holte School being able to: articulate themselves and their ideas in a professional, personal and academic setting, read and interpret information from a variety of sources and write clearly and fluently.
We ensure our English curriculum enables all pupils to speak, read, write fluently and develop essential communication skills. Pupils will develop a love of reading through a variety of increasingly challenging texts. We ensure that there are a diverse range of topics and genres being taught (fiction and non-fiction) which equip pupils to build broad skills of language, structure and contextual analysis that is integrated into our curriculum.
English Department Aims
- To set challenging targets with high expectations for all pupils and staff.
- To offer a variety of teaching and learning approaches required to engage, challenge, and motivate pupils.
- To provide a curriculum that allows pupils to understand and explore the world they live in.
- To provide a curriculum that allows a smooth transition between Key Stage 3 and 4.
- To explore enrichment opportunities for all students regardless of barriers to learning.
Staffing
Head of Department: Mr Edwards
Mrs Jagpal,Miss Mahmood, Ms Sadique, Mr Harrison, Miss Mohamed, Miss Begum, Mrs Rahman, Miss Hunter, Miss Saiyed, Mrs Ali, Mr Walters
Key Stage 3
The English Key Stage Three course at Holte is designed to allow staff to deliver exciting and engaging lessons which challenges all pupils to explore a range of different and diverse texts which inspire pupils to think creatively around a number of key concepts, preparing them for Key Stage Four. Pupils are expected to study a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction in order to build their analytical skills. Pupils will study genres such as Dystopia and Shakespeare as well as nourishing their writing skills over the three years. Pupils are given ample amount of opportunities in their Key Stage Three journey to create their own examples of both, fiction and non-fiction texts to amplify their writing skills.
In addition to the topics listed below, pupils explore a range of literary texts with their class teachers and teaching groups and complete a range of activities designed to inspire a love of literature and to improve the general literacy of pupils.
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Autumn 1 |
Transition Unit – The Novel Baseline – Narrative Writing Spoken Language – Story telling workshop Freedom, Rights and Responsibilities Reading – analysis of non-fiction texts Writing – Speech writing Spoken Language: Speech performances |
Shakespeare’s Tragedies – Heroes and Villains Reading: Key extracts for comparison Writing: language and character response to a scene Spoken Language: hot seating/dramatic monologue Family and Childhood Reading – Non-Fiction articles/autobiographical writing analysis Writing – Article writing Spoken Language: News reporter interviews |
Creative Writing Reading: narrative and descriptive extracts Writing: Narrative/descriptive writing Spoken Language: Story telling workshop Post-1914 Drama Reading: Whole play/extracts Writing: Essay on a key scene and character and one key theme Spoken Language: Hot seating/dramatic monologue |
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Autumn 2 |
Dystopia Reading: extract analysis Writing: Narrative and descriptive writing Spoken Language: Debates Different Cultures Poetry Reading: essay on poetry analysis Writing: Poetry language Spoken language: spoken poetry performances |
Detectives Reading: Pre and Post 1914 fiction Writing: Analysis of an extract Spoken Language: ‘Thought train’ as a detective/criminal/witness Pre-1914 poetry Reading: Poetry analysis Writing: language response OR diary entry based on a poem studied Spoken Language: Spoken poetry performances |
Fiction texts Reading: Pre and post 1914 extracts Writing: Essay response to an extract Spoken Language: Presentations on chosen extracts A study of Charles Dickens Reading: Extracts from Dickens novels Writing: response to a chapter and one key theme Spoken Language: Presentations on Victorian England and Dickens |
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Spring 1 |
Shakespeare’s Comedies and Comedic Language Reading: extracts from comedy plays Writing: character analysis essay Spoken language; dramatic monologue as a hero/villain |
Seminal World Literature – The Novel Reading: Novel / Class reader Writing: Letter written in character Spoken Language: presentations on themes from the Novel.
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War Poetry Reading: analysis of selected war poetry Writing: Poetry comparison essay Spoken Language: Spoken Poetry performances
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Spring 2 |
Travel Around the World Reading: Non-fiction extracts/travel blogs Writing: Persuasive blogs/leaflets Spoken Language: Travel presentations |
Science and Technology in English Reading: Non-fiction texts Writing: Speech – response based on a statement Spoken Language: Speech performances |
Non-Fiction texts Reading: analysis and response to articles and speeches Writing: News article/speech – response to a statement Spoken Language – Debates |
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Summer 1 |
War and Conflict Prose Reading: Class reader and extract analysis Writing: narrative writing/letter home as a soldier Spoken Language: dramatic performance of soldiers |
The Gothic Reading: Extract analysis Writing: Descriptive writing of a gothic setting Spoken Language: Story telling workshop |
Shakespeare’s tragic female characters. Reading: Extracts on Juliet, the Nurse and Lady Capulet Writing: Essay on Juliet and patriarchy Spoken Language: Monologue/soliloquy as one female character from the play |
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Summer 2 |
Spoken Language – Personal Experiences A review of Year 7 |
Spoken Language – Modern Play Script writing/study of a play and performances. |
Spoken Language – The Novel Study of a novel and presentations on key themes. |
Key Stage 3 Recommended Reading List
Year 7
Bone Music by David Almond
When the Sky Falls by Phil Earl
Shades of Scarlet by Anne Fine
Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah
Dosh by Rashmi Dirdeshpande
Freedom by Catherine Johnson
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Virus by Chris Bardford
Game On by Bali Rai
I am the Minotaur by Anthony McGowan
Year 8
Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle
Trash by Andy Mulligan
The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster
Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick
Black and British by David Olusoga
No Fixed Address by Susan Nielsen
The Summer we Turned Green by Willaim Sutcliffe
The Girl who became a Tree by Joseph Coelho
Just Another Little Lie by Eve Ainsworth
The Disconnect by Keren David
Year 9
The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
What We’re Scared of by Keren David
The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood
Glimmer of Hope, How Tragedy Sparked a Movement
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
Run Rebel by Manjeet Mann
Kick The Moon by Mohammed Khan
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon
Stay a Little Longer by Bali Rai
Key Stage 4
The English course at Key Stage 4 builds pupils’ skills to prepare them for their GCSE exams. The curriculum in Year 10 is designed to study the majority of the literature texts required for the GCSE English Literature qualification. While studying the literature texts, lessons are planned to ensure pupils are able to develop skills and understanding to allow them to excel in their exams. In addition to the study of literature texts, pupils are also provided time to hone the skills required for their GCSE English Language qualification.
AQA English Language 8700
The AQA GCSE specification offers a skills-based approach to the study of English Language. The specification is assessed through 100% examination. The course enables students of all abilities to develop the skills they need to read, understand and analyse a wide range of different texts covering the 19th, 20th and 21st century time periods as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. Each examination paper has a distinct identity. Paper 1, Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing, looks at how writers use narrative and descriptive techniques to engage the interest of readers. Paper 2, Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives, looks at how different writers present a similar topic over time.
AQA English Literature 8702
The AQA English Literature course covers a range of texts which have been chosen to inspire young readers, including Romeo and Juliet, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol, and a poetry anthology on Power and Conflict. The course takes a skills-based approach which is accessible to students of all abilities. The range of texts chosen allows pupils to build on their knowledge and skills from key stage three. It also offers excellent preparation for AS and A-level English Literature, as well as giving students a grounding in a wide variety of literature that will stay with them for life.
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Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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Autumn 1 |
Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section A: Reading
Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section A: Romeo and Juliet
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Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section A: Reading
Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section B: Writing
Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section A: Romeo and Juliet
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section A: Reading
Literature Paper 2 Unseen Poetry |
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Autumn 2 |
Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section B: Writing
Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section B: A Christmas Carol
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Revision and mock exams
Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section B: A Christmas Carol
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section A: An Inspector Calls
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section B: Writing
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section B: Poetry Anthology – Power & Conflict
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Spring 1 |
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section A: An Inspector Calls
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section B: Writing
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section B: Poetry Anthology – Power & Conflict
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Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section A: Romeo and Juliet
Literature Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel – Section B: A Christmas Carol
Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section A: Reading
Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing – Section B: Writing
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section A: Reading
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Spring 2 |
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section A: An Inspector Calls
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section B: Writing
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section B: Poetry Anthology – Power & Conflict |
Language Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives – Section B: Writing
Revision and mock exams
Mock exam feedback, improvements and revision |
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Summer 1 |
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section B: Poetry Anthology – Power & Conflict
End of Year Exam Revision
End of Year Exams: Language Paper 2 – Section A: Reading; Section B: Writing Literature Paper 2- An Inspector Calls; Power & Conflict
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Revision for GCSE exams |
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Summer 2 |
Year 10 Recap and Improvements
Literature Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry – Section B: Unseen Poetry
Speaking and Listening
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Revision for GCSE exams |
Key Stage 5
Edexcel English Language and Literature A Level
The Edexcel A Level in English Language and Literature allows pupils to develop and apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation and to apply their understanding of the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language. Students learn to use linguistic and literary approaches in their reading and interpretation of texts, showing how the two disciplines can relate to each other. Pupils engage creatively and critically with a wide range of texts and explore the ways in which texts relate to each other and the contexts in which they are produced and received. Set texts include Othello, The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire. The A Level comprises of three components: Paper one – Voices in Speech and Writing (40%), Paper two – Varieties in Language and Literature (40%), and Coursework – Investigating and Creating Texts (20%)
Key Stage 5 – Year 12 & 13
Homework plays a crucial role in the academic journey of Holte pupils at both Key Stage Three (KS3) and Key Stage Four (KS4) in English. For KS3 pupils, homework serves as a tool for reinforcing classroom learning, honing essential skills in reading, writing, and critical analysis. It encourages independent thinking and time management, preparing them for the challenges of KS4. At KS4, homework takes on a more specialized and focused approach, aligning with the demands of the GCSE curriculum. English homework tasks may involve in-depth analysis of literary texts, essay writing, and exam preparation, all aimed at equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their examinations. Both stages emphasize the importance of homework in nurturing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the English language and its literature, fostering a strong foundation for future academic success.
Below are the variety of platforms that we use for KS3:
Below are the variety of platforms that we use for KS4:
CGP revision guides are provided for English Language and English Literature texts such A Christmal Carol, An Inspector Calls, Romeo and Juliet, Power and Conflict Poetry and Unseen Poetry
A variety of past paper questions
Careers in English
English at Holte School leads to two GCSEs: English Language, which focuses on pupils’ ability to read and write fiction and non-fiction, and English Literature, where pupils study contemporary and classic novels, plays and poetry.
A good level of proficiency in English is a prerequisite for many careers, and the analytical skills developed through English Literature are valued also.
If you enjoy English you could use your creative and analytical skills to work in a huge range of different career areas. If you are interested in English, there are lots of opportunities in broadcasting and publishing. Oracy is an important part of English, and if you like debating and putting together persuasive arguments you may enjoy law, politics and government or business roles. English combines well with most subjects in further and higher education.
A selection of careers in English:
Copy Editor, Journalism, Lawyer, Lecturer, Librarian, Marketing, Researcher, Screenwriter, Speech and Language Therapist, Teacher, TV or Film Producer.