English Language and Literature KS3

KS3 English Language & English Literature The KS3 curriculum fosters creativity and nurtures a thirst for the written word in preparing students for GCSE. Students will become equipped with the skills to interpret and communicate within the world around them. Students will engage with canonical texts within Britain's literary heritage and also seminal modern classics in appreciation of their own and other's cultural heritage. Students will develop their understanding of contextual influences upon literature to heighten their social awareness, engaging with issues such as race, class, and gender. Students will develop skills of interpretation and analysis, enabling them to become enquiring and cri tical thinkers that read for both knowledge and pleasure. Students will cultivate their skill-set and imagination in writing, developing a critical understanding of the craft of writing and its impact, and knowing how to shape their writing for different contexts and purposes. Students will be able to articulate and defend their own ideas in non-fiction writing, and be able to engage and convince an audience in fiction writing. In both contexts, students will develop a precise control of grammar and be equipped with an expansive vocabulary as they become confident and competent communicators.

The KS3 curriculum supports students in becoming articulate, creative, and discerning students of English in preparation for further study in English and across the curriculum; moreover, students will develop into thoughtful and compassionate young people well-equipped for later life.

Overview The year 7 English programme is designed to introduce students to the challenge and rigou r they will experience in their study of English at BRGS. The year will begin with a study of ‘Myths and Legends’, a course that equips students with an understanding of the importance of genre and time period. In this unit, there will be a particular focus on creative writing skills. Students will go on to build their skills of analysis by studying a range of literature from prose to poetry. Looking at a range of modern classics and canonical texts, students will be able to develop their understanding of literary techniques.

Students will then develop their ability to deconstruct the English Language in a non-fiction unit which will explore the functions and purposes of language in the media. Following this, students will enjoy an exploration of the increasingly popular dystopian genre, developing their understanding of literary tropes and themes. Finally, students will work collaboratively to transpose a popular work of literature into an original dramatic performance.

Throughout the year, emphasis will be placed on students’ technical accuracy, with a focus on spelling, punctuation, grammar, and academic expression.

How Parents Can Help English is an organic subject, to which the draft and revision process is vital. Students should be encouraged to self-reflect with parents, and will be encouraged to ask parents to read through assessments to ensure clarity and accuracy in expression.

Equipment Whilst there is no requirement to purchase equipment for the course (any novels studied will be collected from the school library), it is helpful for students to have access to a thesaurus, dictionary and grammar reference handbook. Oxford and CGP publications are popular choices.

Additional The most effective and fulfilling way for students to improve their control and understanding of English is to read avidly. Please encourage your child to read widely for both information and pleasure. Students will be issued with a recommended reading list and have the excellent opportunity to take out books free of charge from our school library.

Please help us to encourage wider reading at home, particularly of newspapers and of canonical literature, in order to develop students personally and academically.