English Curriculum Intent

The English curriculum at Skegness Academy is designed to enrich students’ knowledge of the world around them by focusing on how traditional ideas have developed into the modern world.

The curriculum integrates the different aspects of English- fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, writing and oracy- around centralised concepts that build to empower students throughout their journey at Skegness Academy. Within English lessons, students encounter a range of worlds, exploring different characters and settings that enrich both their knowledge of English and their knowledge of the world around them. Students are asked to think deeply about issues within literature whilst developing their ability to articulate their views in writing.

We strive to allow students to see themselves within their curriculum by providing access to a diverse range of both content and format, which will inspire further reading and encourage deeper thinking. Within this range of texts, students will encounter topics that allow them to consider the British Values and how English will remain a fundamental life skill that will be essential for their further education and career.

Key Stage Three

In Key Stage Three students encounter three key concepts - Heroes and Villains in Year 7, Journeys in Year 8 and Authorial Intent in Year 9. In each year, students build on the knowledge they have gained during the previous year, progress from ‘what’ they have seen, to ‘how’ it was created and finally asking themselves ‘why’ the author chose to communicate in this manner. Students read whole texts, which are then supported by a range of sources that allow them to recognise the transferable nature of the theme and create depth and breadth within their knowledge. Within their homework, students will develop independence and use smaller tasks to produce bigger pieces of work. This will enhance the knowledge they have gained and equip them with the learning habits that are essential at GCSE.

By the end of Key Stage Three, students will be able to formulate and articulate their view of both the words they have read, and the intention behind them, whilst still fulfilling the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Key Stage Four 

Specification

The Key Stage Four curriculum uses the AQA 8700 English Language and 8702 English Literature specifications.

All students are entered for both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.

What will be studied?

All students study the following texts:

• Jekyll and Hyde
• Macbeth
• An Inspector Calls
• Power and Conflict poetry

Students will also learn how to analyse and compare unseen poetry.

For their English Language examinations, students will learn how to analyse the language and structure of fiction texts, and to analyse and compare non-fiction texts. In addition to this, students will learn how to write to describe and to express a viewpoint. For their Spoken Language assessment, students will create and present a speech, and demonstrate the ability to answer questions on the topic of their speech.

To prepare for these examinations, as well as future study, students will encounter a broad range of texts and discussion points. Students will become critical thinkers and articulate communicators, with a wealth of knowledge that will allow them to participate in any conversation and recognise the elements of language that becomes essential in adult life.

Key Stage 5

A Level Specification

AQA Language and Literature 7707

What will be studied?

Students will study the following texts:

• The Handmaid’s Tale
• A Streetcar Named Desire
• Feminine Gospels- Carol Ann Duffy
• The Great Gatsby
• The Paris Anthology (AQA)

Students will also learn how to analyse texts linguistically and to transpose texts for the language elements of the course. Students will complete a Non-Examined Assessment that requires the analysis of transcripts.

This is a two year course that develops the learning completed at GCSE level by asking students to engage with critical thinking and critiques of texts, and to explore the functionality of language in order to manipulate and evaluate it.

Students will be required to read widely throughout the course.