Curriculum Intent 

English Language

At Washington Academy students become successful communicators using a variety of written formats and through extended oracy. As students progress through the curriculum, they will develop their ability to think critically, constructing their own interpretations of a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction texts whilst being immersed in scholarship. Through analysis of a wide range or texts, students gain an understanding of the complexity of people’s lives, diversity of society, their own identity and the challenges around the world using this to consider the impact of context and writer’s intentions upon the original and modern readers. By doing this, students begin to develop their own narrative voice and can apply this to a range of language and structural techniques to express themselves in a variety of written formats. 

Students follow a programme of study that is developed using the National Curriculum English Programme of Study for KS3; allowing learners to cover both the statutory and non-statutory elements of the curriculum. Supplementary to this, to ensure a broad and rich language curriculum is delivered; students are also provided with the opportunity to access classroom libraires and to attend extra-curricular workshops run by the University of Sunderland and published, local authors as well participate in external, national writing competitions. This is a feature of our department that we are proud of at Washington Academy and is an example of how we inspire a love of language and encourage our students to use their knowledge and communication skills beyond the classroom and lesson environment. 

As a department, our aim is to ensure that all students across key stage 3 embed an enriched vocabulary and understanding of the impact of language choices so that they can become successful communicators across the curriculum and into adulthood as well at KS4. 

Upon entry to Key Stage 4 students will continue to master their knowledge of the impact of language and structural choices through further study of fiction and nonfiction texts by a range of writers across a variety of fiction and nonfiction formats using this understanding to regularly create their own narratives and nonfiction texts. 

English Literature 

At Washington Academy students develop a love for literature. We cover a wide range of different writing periods and genres which enables students to develop their own interpretations using information gained about the context surrounding the key pieces of literature. Students will also gain an understanding about relationships, the complexity of people’s lives and key issues within society through the literature that they study. Through the reading of a wide range of literature students are able to improve and apply their knowledge and understanding of tier 2 and 3 vocabulary. 

Students follow a programme of study that has been developed using the National Curriculum English programme of study for KS3; allowing learners to cover both the statutory and non-statutory elements of the curriculum and cover a wide range of literary works. It is our aim to ensure that all students across key stage 3 embed key terms, themes and concepts that they have previously studied across other units delivered and that the thread of learning is clear throughout each year. 

Upon entry to Key Stage 4 students, having mastered analytical skills continue to deepen their knowledge of literary works through study of the following: Shakespeare, Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose, Poetry from 1789 to the present day as well as Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century. This study enables students to demonstrate their deeper understanding of the importance of the structural and language choices of a range of authors across different time periods. 

English Curriculum Overview 

Year 7

• Autumn Term 1:  19th Century Novel - Great Expectations
• Autumn Term 2: 19th Century Novel - Great Expectations/ Non-Fiction Study - Aspects of Fear. Including speeches, diary entries, letters and articles from a range of diverse authors and speakers – Michelle Obama, Ann Frank, Emma Watson and Margret Atwood
• Spring Term 1: Non-Fiction Study - Aspects of Fear/Culture Poetry
• Spring Term 2: Culture Poetry, Including poetry from a range of diverse authors such as Imtiaz Dharker, Grace Nichols, Mya Angelou, John Agard and Lawrence Frelinghetti
• Summer Term 1: Culture Poetry/Introduction to Shakespeare: A Midsummer's Night's Dream (Supernatural Focus)
• Summer Term 2: Introduction to Shakespeare: A Midsummer's Night's Dream (Supernatural Focus)

Year 8

• Autumn Term 1: 20th Century Novel: Animal Farm
• Autumn Term 2:  20th Century Novel: Animal Farm/Non-Fiction Study: Conspiracy Theories (Reading and Writing Skills) Including speeches, letters and articles from a range of diverse topics and timelines including: Aliens, Area 51 and the Moon Landing; 9/11, The Titanic, Artificial Intelligence and Celebrity.
• Spring Term 1: Non-Fiction Study: Conspiracy Theories (Reading and Writing Skills)/Conflict Poetry and Short Story
• Spring Term 2:  Conflict Poetry and Short Story including poetry and stories from a range of diverse authors – Jessie Pope, Siegfried Sasson, King George VI, Simon Armitage and Edgar Allen Poe
• Summer Term 1:  Conflict Poetry and Short Story/ Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (Relationship Focus)
• Summer Term 2: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (Relationship Focus)

Year 9

• Autumn Term 1: 21st Century Novel and Play: Noughts and Crosses
• Autumn Term 2: 21st Century Novel and Play: Noughts and Crosses/Non-Fiction Study: Crime and Punishment (Reading and Transactional Writing Skills) Including speeches, letters and articles from a range of diverse range of topics such as Jack the Ripper, The Yorkshire Ripper and Oscar Pistorius
• Spring Term 1: Non-Fiction Study: Crime and Punishment (Reading and Transactional Writing Skills)/Relationship Poetry
• Spring Term 2: Relationship Poetry including poetry from a range of authors such as Benjamin Zephaniah, John Cooper Clarke and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• Summer Term 1: Relationship Poetry/ Shakespeare: Othello (Tragedy and the Tragic Hero Focus)
• Summer Term 2: Shakespeare: Othello

Year 10 

• Autumn Term 1:  Eduqas Literature - Shakespeare: Macbeth 
• Autumn Term 2:  Eduqas Literature - Shakespeare: Macbeth/Eduqas Language: Component One/Eduqas Literature: A Christmas Carol 
• Spring Term 1: Eduqas Literature: A Christmas Carol/Eduqas Language: Component Two 
• Spring Term 2:  Eduqas Literature: Anthology Poetry 
• Summer Term 1: Eduqas Literature: Anthology Poetry/ Eduqas Language: Component One 
• Summer Term 2: Eduqas Literature: Introduction to An Inspector Calls/ Eduqas Speaking and Listening Exam (Transactional Writing) 

Year 11 

• Autumn Term 1:  Eduqas Literature: Macbeth 
• Autumn Term 2: Eduqas Literature: Macbeth/ Eduqas Language: Revision of Component One/ Eduqas Literature: Revison of An Inspector Calls and A Christmas Carol 
• Spring Term 1: Eduqas Literature: Anthology Poetry/ Eduqas Language: Revison of Component Two 
• Spring Term 2:  Eduqas Literature: Anthology Poetry 
• Summer Term 1:  Teach Out Revision Plans Informed from Completed Mock Exams 
• Summer Term 2:  Final preparation for GCSE examinations