At Mount Saint Joseph, we have devised an ambitious English curriculum that is broad, balanced, and challenging for all students. Our provision at KS3 builds on the skills taught at KS2 and ensures that each individual is fully prepared for the next stage in their education and the rigors of the KS4 GCSE specifications.

Our aim is to nurture effective communicators, readers, writers, and thinkers. Through the study of English Language and Literature, we strive to challenge our learners to think deeply, to develop rich subject knowledge, and to master a firm foundation of literacy skills to equip them for the future. We immerse our learners in a vast range of reading stimulus, both fiction and non-fiction, and we build the Cultural Capital of our students by teaching texts in context and by studying the work of both traditional and contemporary writers from a range of times, cultures and traditions.

Wider reading is further encouraged and supported by the online reading challenge and recommended reading lists. Progression is carefully planned to build on the literacy skills developed at KS2. We strive to forge effective writers who are able to utilise ambitious vocabulary and appropriate structural devices to express their ideas in a range of forms and for a variety of purposes. It is a shared commitment within the teaching team to ensure that every member of the MSJ family achieves their full potential within this core subject.

Year 7

Term 1:

We will be using Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ as a basis for exploring how writers create meaning as well as enjoying a fantastic story! We will learn about his life and how the social and historical context helped to shape his ideas. There will also be the opportunity to study a range of non-fiction and be creative in our writing. We will also consolidate key literacy skills and begin to explore poetry.

Term 2:

We will be taking a deep dive into the world of Shakespeare exploring his world, his influences and of course, his plays! We will learn about the different characteristics of play genres he wrote in, and in poetry how he wrote sonnets. There will be a continuation of key literacy skills, and further opportunities to develop functional skills writing in different formats and reading different types of non-fiction texts as well.

Term 3:

The final term gives us opportunity to explore the contemporary world through the modern play, ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ by Mark Haddon. We will explore our place in the world and how the playwright explores contemporary issues.  Poetry will bring the adventure of a mystery via the poetry of some of our favourite contemporary writers such as Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy. There will also be opportunity to write our own poems and take part in the MSJ Poetry Slam!

Year 8

Term 1:

We start the year with a study of Frankenstein, using it to explore the revolution in ideas that shaped the modern world. It will give us opportunity to develop our understanding of how writers’ ideas are shaped by their environment and understanding of what it means to be human. There will be an emphasis on building skills to express our point of view and ability to analyse. Poetry will focus on the Romantic movement, exploring its famous writers, whilst Literacy will look to develop more in depth writing.

Term 2:

This term is focused on Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’. Building on our work in Year 7, we will enjoy a deeper dive into a play to explore Shakespeare’s mastery of playwriting. We will analyse key characters and themes through extended writing and drama as well as why his work forms such a key part of our literary heritage. Storytelling will be reinforced through a range of poetry styles and literacy lessons.

Term 3:

In the final term, we will be studying DNA, a gripping modern play exploring the strengths of friendship and the cost of keeping secrets. We will analyse how the author develops tension and engagement with the audience as well as how media influences our decision making. Poetry will also explore the nature of human relationships continuing to build our analysis skills. Our key literacy will focus on whole text organization skills, especially in non-fiction.

Year 9

Unit 1

Term 1: Seminal Literature – ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck

Pupils will explore the context linked to the novel through looking at America in the 1920s and 30s. They will explore how writers present themes such as poverty, racism, gender inequality, and unemployment. Through analysis of language and structural features, pupils will gain understanding of how characters and ideas are presented in the novel. Pupils will learn a range of linguistic, rhetorical and structural devices to enable them to express their views persuasively, both in formal writing and as an oral presentation.

Term 2: Shakespeare – ‘Twelfth Night’

Pupils will read the play and explore the key dramatic and linguistic devices used by the writer to engage the audience. They will explore the contextual factors linked to the play and gain knowledge and understanding of how the playwright presents characters and the key themes of: love, deception, ambition, gender and appearance versus reality. Pupils will learn a range of linguistic, descriptive, and structural devices to enable them to write creatively, producing an engaging and original narrative.

Term 3: Modern Drama – ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell

Pupils will read and study the plot, character, and themes of a modern play, exploring the themes relating to the political landscape of England (1960-1980). Pupils will learn how to structure critical responses to literature and further develop their understanding of linguistic, rhetorical, and structural devices to enable them to express their views on the themes studied.

For each half-term there is a Knowledge Expert Sheet which outlines the essential knowledge that all students in Year 7, 8 and 9 need to know.

Students demonstrate their depth of knowledge by completing their Knowledge Expert Books.

Here you can find a selection of recommended books from our English department for students in KS3.

Our aim at KS4 is to encourage all learners to be enthusiastic and proactive in their studies as they continue their learning journey through GCSE courses and onto further education. We endeavor to support students to become independent, resilient, responsible, and successful citizens of the future, ready for the rigours of further academic study and the world of work. We hope to inspire and motivate our students to become lifelong learners who are successful not only academically but also in their positive contributions to wider society. We strive to ensure all students are equipped with the broad range of skills needed to be successful in an ever-changing, competitive, and challenging world. To achieve our vision, we have created a KS4 curriculum which builds on the skills delivered at KS3 and follows the AQA GCSE specifications for language and literature.

We continue to immerse our learners in a vast range of reading stimulus, both fiction and non-fiction, and aim to further develop their Cultural Capital. Students study texts from a range of highly respected writers such as Shakespeare, Stevenson, and Priestley and poets such as Duffy and Armitage. We encourage students to read these texts critically, with imagination, and to make connections to the world around them. The texts studied at KS4 frequently address important social and historical issues that are still very much relevant and prevalent today. We strive to tackle these issues in an open and inclusive way, where students feel safe and secure in developing and expressing their beliefs.

We aim to foster imaginative and analytical writers who utilise sophisticated vocabulary, form grammatically correct and compelling sentences, and employ structural devices creatively to express ideas in a convincing manner for a variety of forms and purposes.

Students have the opportunity to participate in discussions, debates, and formal presentations as they journey towards the completion of their spoken language endorsement. This affords students the chance to embed and refine their oral communication skills and to develop their ability to articulate views and ideas confidently, coherently, and in an organised manner. These skills will prove vital as students progress to further academic study or their chosen careers.

English is undoubtedly one of the most important subjects students will undertake at GCSE and while examination success is paramount to our vision, we equally aim to foster well-rounded citizens. Through delivering innovative and engaging lessons and through our extra-curricular provision, the English curriculum at KS4 ensures that vital knowledge and skills are implemented, developed, and practiced to make success tangible for all.

Year 10

GCSE English Language:

Pupils will build on the knowledge and understanding of the English language established throughout KS3, culminating in GCSE in English Language in Year 11.

Pupils will engage with a wide range of literary and non-literary texts and, through analysis of language and structure, will develop their understanding of how writers craft their writing and utilize language for a variety of audiences and purposes. They will be taught to critically evaluate the texts they read and, therefore, increase their knowledge of the vast range of linguistic and structural devices employed in a wide variety of text types.

In writing, we strive to build on the skills implemented at KS3 to generate effective and confident writers who can utilize the linguistic and structural devices they have studied in their reading. Over the two year course, pupils will Increase their knowledge and understanding of language and will become effective writers able to express their ideas convincingly and accurately, adapting their writing appropriately to a range of forms and for different audiences and purposes.

GCSE English Literature:

Pupils will undertake rigorous study of a range of texts to develop understanding of plot, character, themes and the factors of social and historical context influencing the writers. They will explore authorial intent through applying their knowledge of linguistic and structural devices.

Pupils will study the following texts as part of their GCSE course:

  • Shakespeare: ‘Romeo and Juliet’
  • Nineteenth Century Novel: ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ by RL Stevenson
  • Modern Play: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J. B. Priestley
  • AQA Power and Conflict Poetry
  • Unseen Poetry

Year 11

GCSE English Language:

Pupils will build on the knowledge and understanding of the English language established throughout KS3 and year 10.

Pupils will engage with a wide range of literary and non-literary texts and, through analysis of language, structure and viewpoint, will develop their understanding of how writers craft their writing and utilize language for a variety of audiences and purposes. They will be taught to critically evaluate the texts they read and, therefore, increase their knowledge of the vast range of linguistic and structural devices employed in a wide variety of text types.

In writing, we strive to build on the skills implemented during year 7-10 to generate effective and confident writers who can utilize the linguistic and structural devices they have studied in their reading. Over this final year, pupils will refine their knowledge and understanding of language and will become effective writers able to express their ideas convincingly and accurately, adapting their writing appropriately to a range of forms and for different audiences and purposes.

GCSE English Literature:

Pupils will undertake rigorous study of a range of texts to develop understanding of plot, character, themes, and the factors of social and historical context influencing the writers. They will explore authorial intent through applying their knowledge of linguistic and structural devices. They will develop analysis skills linked to theme and character which will enable them to confidently tackle their GCSE literature papers during the final examination series.

Pupils will study the following texts as part of their GCSE course:

  • Shakespeare: ‘Romeo and Juliet’
  • Nineteenth Century Novel: ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ by RL Stevenson
  • Modern Play: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J. B. Priestley
  • AQA Power and Conflict Poetry
  • Unseen Poetry

For each half-term there is a Knowledge Expert Sheet which outlines the essential knowledge that all students in Year 10 and 11 need to know.

Students demonstrate their depth of knowledge by completing their Knowledge Expert Books.

Here you can find a selection of recommended books from our English department for students in KS4.