Half Term

Topic 

Focus

Term 1

Wonder

The beginning of this term starts with a transition period; over summer, students are asked to read the text Wonder and complete tasks to alongside the reading. Across the first few weeks of term, every Year 7 class will read extracts from and work from the transition novel Wonder by RJ Palacio. This is mirrored across the school as every subject will use Wonder as their inspiration for Year 7 for the first few weeks in the academy.

 Storytelling 

Big Question: How do stories change over time? 

This scheme of work runs up until Christmas and starts exploring some of the earliest stories in our Literary Canon including key Classic and Greek mythology, Biblical stories, and the development of our language. It begins by exploring how stories and storytelling changes over time, how contextual factors impact how stories are told as well as looking at archetypal characters and their role in literature. The stories and texts that are chosen for this scheme of work means that students have the historical knowledge needed to access future texts. The skills taught in this scheme cover reading comprehension, analysis and narrative writing. It is a wonderful introduction to the magic of Literature and enables students to understand the origin and evolution of literature throughout time. 

Term 2

Identity

Big Question: What is identity?   

This scheme allows students to explore what it means to be ‘them’ whilst also exploring different cultures and communities. We explore a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as poems, lyrics, speeches, and articles. In this scheme, students are given the opportunity to explore and engage with pivotal moments in rhetoric and big changes in society, as well exploring opinions through poetic voice, such as the influence of Juno Dawson on the LGBQT community. In this scheme, students will develop their ability to think critically and evaluatively with texts, using the context of the text and drawing on key knowledge and skills gained from wider reading. 

Mystery

Big Question: What is mystery?  

In this scheme, students start with reading the Agatha Christie mystery novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. Once students have read the text, they will start to explore the key themes and character development, as well as developing an understanding and love of the mystery genre.  Students will look at what is meant by oppression so that they can analyse the power of language, as well exploring ideas around gender stereotypes so that they can see and challenge them in the world around us. Students will develop their reading, written and oracy skill across this scheme. 

Half Term

Topic

Focus

Term 1

Fear  

Big Question: How and why do writers create a sense of fear?

Year 8 starts with reading the novel A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, allowing students to explore key themes and concepts surrounding the novel such as grief, loss and fear. Students also have the opportunity to explore extracts from Gothic texts. We evaluate the impact that Romanticism, the Industrial Revolution and scientific advancements had on writers and the way tension, suspense and uncertainty is developed in these texts. Students then look at how writers create characters and setting so that they can write a description of their own gothic character using the key gothic motifs studied throughout.  

Term 2

Power and Conflict 

Big Question: How is the exploitation of the powerless by the powerful represented and challenged? 

This scheme focuses on a study of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare and looking at how rhetoric is used by those in a position of power to control, manipulate or use it for the good of the people. Students will explore the way characters behave and interact whilst looking at the theme of betrayal and how language has power. To compliment this study of Shakespeare, students will explore the rhetoric of leaders throughout the World Wars and how poets use language to counteract and respond to this in times of conflict. Students will continue to analyse and evaluate language use across different text types and will focus on writing non-fiction texts; particularly speeches and how to write from a particular viewpoint. 

Brave New World 

Big Question: Why is travel important and how does this link to our understanding of our place in the world? 

Half Term

Topic

Focus

Term 1

Futures: Run, Rebel

Big Question: Why are futures important?

In this term students will read the novel Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann. Across the scheme they will track how and why characters change, as well as exploring some of the big themes within the text and developing their essay writing and transactional writing skills. They will look at why futures are important, but specifically the importance of alternative perspectives when considering someone’s future. Through this text students will also develop their understanding of immigration and how this is continually adapting.  

Term 2

Social Diversity  

Big Question: How does societies’ diversities allow for a better human experience?

Next, students move into a study of the modern play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. This ensures students have read a wide range of genres across KS3 and continues with the thread of societal injustice through disabilities. Students build their understanding of the genre of the modern play, and this could open the opportunity for extracurricular enrichment through live productions of this. The curriculum then balances the exploration of the human condition with non-fiction and poetry from authors with additional needs to broaden students’ reading experiences. This scheme will lead students into writing more academic literature essays based on key questions from the play as well as writing their own narratives based on differing perspectives beyond their own lives. 

 Term 3 

Subversion and rebellion: Romeo and Juliet  

Big Question: How are the themes of subversion and rebellion significant in the play and beyond? 

Year 9 ends with an exploration of subversion and rebellion in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet and how this often mirrors what we still see in society today. We look at how sometimes rebellion leads to society changes including key non-fiction articles relating to racial injustice from both the UK and abroad. Students will also look at how teenagers behave and focus on gang violence in the UK and how the media shapes our views and opinions on topics, with students writing their own speech on important societal injustices. The teaching of Romeo and Juliet means that students become familiar with the language of Shakespeare before they get to GCSE and can begin to gain confidence in the study of such a text.

Half Term

Topic 

Focus

Half- Term 1

An Inspector Calls 

To develop a secure knowledge of the play An Inspector Calls so that students can improve the key skills needed to succeed in the English Literature exam

Students will develop their understanding of the play An Inspector Calls as an allegory and morality play. They will explore the concept of collective responsibility portrayed by Priestley and read the play as a teaching of social responsibility. Students will develop their analysis skills, as well as their ability to make relevant links to the play’s context and writer’s intentions. They will work on crafting essays in line with the demands of the literature GCSE. 

Half-Term 2

Language Paper 1 – introduction to Section A and Section B 

The exploration of creative works of fiction from the 19th, 20th and 21st century, considering how and why writers influence readers

Students will first explore the reading section of Language Paper 1 and complete exam style questions throughout the scheme to boost familiarity with the exam style and equip them with the needed exam knowledge and skills. Students will receive regular feedback, and look at exemplar responses, to ensure that they are confident with this part of the exam.  

For the second half of this half-term, students will start to look at the creative writing element of the exam. They will build a bank of ideas through looking at fiction extracts and developing their use of extended metaphors and semantic fields, as well as looking at how to structure their response and include a range of vocabulary. 

Half-Term 3 and Half-Term 4

Macbeth

To develop a secure knowledge of the play Macbeth so that students can improve the key skills needed to succeed in the English Literature exam

Students will develop their understanding of the play Macbeth as a tragedy and exploration of ambition and power. They will explore the themes of guilt, fate, and moral corruption portrayed by Shakespeare and read the play as a warning about the consequences of unchecked ambition. Students will develop their analysis skills, as well as their ability to make relevant links to the play’s historical context and Shakespeare’s intentions. They will work on crafting essays in line with the demands of the literature GCSE. 

Half-Term 5

Language Paper 2:  

The exploration of non-fiction works of fiction from the 19th, 20th and 21st century, considering how and why writers influence readers. 

Students will also continue to develop their writing skills with a focus on effective non-fiction writing in line with the GCSE demands.  

Students will first explore the reading section of Language Paper 2 and complete exam style questions throughout the scheme to boost familiarity with the exam style and equip them with the needed exam knowledge and skills. Students will receive regular feedback, and look at exemplar responses, to ensure that they are confident with this part of the exam.  

Following this, students will be introduced to the transactional writing element of Language Paper 2 where they will look at the art of rhetoric through a range of non-fiction texts such as speeches, letters and articles. Students will then start to hone their non-fiction writing skills with a focus on structuring their response and creating a clear and powerful voice in their writing.

Half-Term 6 

Revision: Language Paper 1, Language Paper 2, Unseen Poetry, An Inspector Calls and Anthology Poetry 

Spoken Language

In the lead up to their mocks, students will complete mini schemes on: Language Paper 1, Language Paper 2, Unseen Poetry, An Inspector Calls and Anthology Poetry. These schemes will focus on the needed skills and knowledge for their exams and will include a range of exemplar responses and writing opportunities.  

Students will also plan, practise, and deliver their speeches for their Spoken Language assessment. 

Half Term

Topic

Focus

Half-Term 1 

Jekyll and Hyde

To develop a secure knowledge of the text Jekyll and Hyde so that students can improve the key skills needed to succeed in the English Literature exam. 

Students will read the text Jekyll and Hyde and develop their understanding of the novella as an exploration of the duality of man. They will explore the concept of being a Victorian gentleman and the importance of reputation as well as looking at the comparison of the treatment of the upper and lower classes. They will explore Stevenson’s intentions through looking at the use of characters to criticise society and teach a message to the reader. Thet will explore the relationships between characters and the themes, as well as making continual links to the text’s context and message. This scheme also aims to build on students’ essay writing skills, with a specific focus on developing the depth of their analysis.  

Half-Term 2  

Revision: Language Paper 1, Language Paper 2, and Macbeth 

In the lead up to their mocks, students will complete mini schemes on: Language Paper 1, Language Paper 2 and Macbeth. These schemes will focus on the needed skills and knowledge for their exams and will include a range of exemplar responses and writing opportunities. 

Half-Term 3 

Revision: Exam Preparation

In the lead up to their exams, students will complete mini schemes including: transactional writing, unseen poetry, Macbeth, creative writing and anthology poetry. These schemes will focus on the needed skills and knowledge for their exams and will include a range of exemplar responses and writing opportunities. 

Half-Term 4 onwards

Teacher led revision of all GCSE topics:

Language Paper 1, Language Paper 2, Macbeth, Jekyll and Hyde, An Inspector Calls, Love & Relationships, Unseen Poetry.

Students will revise the key texts and exam skills across this half term. Teachers to focus on the needed skills and knowledge for their exams and will include a range of exemplar responses and writing opportunities.