KS3 English

Introduction:

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to broaden students’ knowledge of literary genres, historical contexts and contemporary issues, as well as develop reading, writing and speaking skills.

Both reading and writing skills are developed through the exploration of contexts, ideas and texts from the Renaissance, Victorian and Romantic periods and genres such as mythology, tragedy and dystopian fiction. Students will also study the following novels in full: Animal Farm, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece and Born a Crime. Students will further develop their understanding of fiction through the exploration of character archetypes such as monsters; they will explore the creation of ‘voices’ in poetry; and will study Non-fiction through the themes of gender, protest and Aristotle’s rhetoric.

Speaking and listening skills are also developed across Key Stage 3. Students will learn how to craft speeches for particular audiences and purposes; be given opportunities to participate in debates and present ideas and arguments to an audience.

Homework and learning beyond the classroom:

Students in Year 7 and 8 will be set a reading homework every week. We ask that parents/carers monitor their child’s reading and regularly sign the Reading Log in student planners.

Students in Year 7 and 8 will also be set a piece of homework from a half-termly homework booklet each week. There are some exceptions to this for students in our nurture groups, where teachers will take a more bespoke approach.

Accelerated Reader is an online tool that can be used outside of English lessons and allows your child to select challenging and entertaining reads. The programme offers quizzes on each book so that teachers can monitor your child’s reading progress. 

Students in Year 9 be set weekly homework from our half-termly homework booklets. There are some exceptions to this for students in our nurture groups where teachers will take a more bespoke approach.

Extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities

• Literary challenge club
• Breakfast and book clubs
• Theatre trips / performances from visiting companies