English

We are passionate about all our students exploring, experiencing and mastering the rich tapestry of skills and knowledge that studying English has to offer. Through the study of communication skills, literary texts, cultural connections and the constantly changing use of language, we aim to equip students with confidence and curiosity for the world around them and beyond.

Head of Faculty

Mr S Parker (sparker@wrhs1118.co.uk)

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

During Years 7, 8 and 9, students will be challenged to develop their existing skills in all aspects of reading, writing and spoken language. With a clear focus on progress and both collaborative and independent learning students will move into Year 10 with a strong foundation and resilience to rise to the challenge of GCSEs.

Year 7:

Shakespeare’s Baddies
Othello
History of English Language
The 19th Century
Class reader of modern novel

Year 8:

Introduction to Poetry Analysis: Other Cultures and Protest
Romeo and Juliet
The Gothic genre: The Woman in Black

Year 9:

GCSE Literature Preparation Unit – Poetry unit – Power and Conflict
GCSE Literature Preparation Unit: An Inspector Calls
GCSE Literature Preparation Unit: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Key Stage 4

Year 10:

Students will study for the new GCSE in English Literature, using the AQA specification. All examinations will be taken in May and June 2019.

Year 11:

Students will be studying AQA English Language. Both examinations will be taken in June 2019.

Units studied in Year 9

Introduction to analysis, evaluation and comparison of poetry – read and write poetry connected to the themes of power and conflict; develop critical essay writing skills further including comparison; analysis of poetic techniques and how to approach an unseen text
Literary study of An Inspector Calls and its context – building upon the skills developed in Term One, students will read and analyse this famous play, further developing skills in critical essay writing and discussion of writer’s ideas in connection with various contexts
Literary study of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and its context – read, debate and analyse this famous Victorian novel, developing skills in critical essay writing, researching and discussion of writer’s ideas in connection with various contexts

Units studied in Year 10

Literary study of Macbeth and its context – read, debate and analyse this famous Shakespearean play, developing skills in critical essay writing, researching and discussion of writer’s ideas in connection with various contexts
Literature Revision – building on skills from the previous two year, students will continue to develop their skills in analysing their GCSE texts, critical essay writing, researching and discussion of writer’s ideas in connection with various contexts

Units studied in Year 11

Analysing Fiction and Non-fiction Texts – explore a range of challenging and inspiring texts to understand and evaluate how writers use language and structure for effect
Analysing and Producing Creative Texts – explore and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts which will then act as inspiration for students’ own creative writing, such as description, persuade/argue and narratives, responding to a specific task or brief

GCSE Courses

AQA English Language (8700) – 100% examination; 2 papers
AQA English Literature (8702) – 100% examination; 2 papers

Sixth Form Courses

Edexcel English Literature AS and A-level (8ET0/9ET0) – AS 100% examination (two papers); A-level 20% Coursework 80% examination (two papers)

AQA English Language AS and A-level (7701/7702) – AS 100% examination (two papers); A-level 20% Coursework 80% examination (two papers)

AQA English GCSE (4700) – 40% Controlled Assessment and 60% Examination (1 paper)

Units studied in Year 12

Edexcel AS English literature

Texts:

Post-2000 poetry anthology

A Streetcar Named Desire

Wuthering Heights

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Edexcel AS English Language

Topics:

Language and Representation of the Individual

Language and Diversity (in society)

Directed Creative Writing

Language Discourses

AQA English GCSE (in both Year 12 and Year 13)

Analysing Fiction and Non-fiction Texts – explore a range of challenging and inspiring texts to understand and evaluate how writers use language and structure for effect
Analysing and Producing Creative Texts – explore and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts which will then act as inspiration for students’ own creative writing, such as description, persuade/argue and narratives, responding to a specific task or brief

Units studied in Year 13

Edexcel A-level English literature