English

Introduction

The English Department at Halliford aims to offer students a varied and enjoyable experience. We aim to enrich their experience and understanding of the world whilst also empowering them with the tools to speak, think and write more effectively.

Years 7 – 9

At Key Stage 3 pupils study a range of different literary texts that will challenge and inspire them. We believe the key to success in English is reading and we offer a rich and diverse diet of boy-friendly texts, ranging from the classics like Shakespeare, Stevenson and Tolkien to more modern texts by writers such as Louis Sachar. Through this diversity students gain a wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding.

Opportunities for revising and expanding on key areas of grammar and spelling are woven into the curriculum, alongside opportunities for the pupils to express themselves fluently and confidently and develop the ability to structure and craft their writing to suit a range of different outcomes. Library lessons continue in Year 7 to further support our students on their journey to becoming independent readers.

GCSE

English Language

At Key Stage 4, students will hone the skills acquired at Key Stage 3. The Edexcel IGCSE English Language course encourages students to read critically and use knowledge gained from wider reading to inform and improve their own writing. They will develop their vocabulary alongside their knowledge of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.

Students will complete two coursework assignments (40%) and one examination (60%).

English Literature

The Edexcel IGCSE Literature course offers students the opportunity to engage with a range of different texts. They will further develop an appreciation of the ways in which authors achieve their literary effects, as well as explore the historical, social and cultural contexts of different works of literature.

Coursework Texts

• ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J B Priestley
• ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare

Examination Texts

• ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck
• Poetry Anthology
• Preparation for unseen poetry
• Pupils will complete two coursework assignments (40%) and one examination (60%)

A Level

English Literature

The A Level literature course aims to encourage our students to read widely and independently. Edexcel provide a varied and rigorous course that will engage them critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts. The course will develop students’ ability to explore the historical, social and political contexts of the texts they are studying, as well as appreciate readings of literary works.

Unit 1: Drama

• ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams
• ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare

Unit 2: Prose

• ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker
• ‘A Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde

Unit 3: Poetry

• Poems of the Decade
• Romantic Verse

Unit 4: Coursework

• Play or Prose Text

Tours and Trips

• Theatre Trips
• Year 7 trip to the Harry Potter Studios