KS3 Curriculum

Our English curriculum is designed to engage our students and instill a love of Literature and Language. Our students are at the centre of our curriculum choices; we hope that through our curriculum our students will be nurtured to become more creative, articulate, empathetic of others. In addition to this, we use our curriculum to enable students to have a greater understanding of their place in the world. English education at JHNCC aims to build on previous knowledge in a sequenced manner to develop core skills of reading and writing, spoken language and vocabulary. As a department we are passionate about sharing their knowledge with students and ensuring that all students leave our College equipped with high quality communication skills in order to be successful in the wider world.

A breakdown of what we study in each KS3 year group is as follows:

Year 7

To welcome our KS3 cohort we introduce students to methods of story-telling building on KS2 prior knowledge. We explore the methodology of constructing narratives, which links the study of literature, linguistics and the performing arts across genres and time periods. We study a selection of world myths, a ‘Hear my Voice’ poetry anthology, William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ along with ‘The Bone Sparrow’ by Zana Fraillon. 

Year 8

In Year 8 we explore social conflict which enables students to explore how historic social anxieties and conflicts have motivated and influenced the creation of literary and non-literary texts and performances. We study: Charles Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’, William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ and a range of texts and poems from diverse cultures and backgrounds in a ‘Portraits of People’ unit.

Year 9

To conclude KS3 we examine human attitudes and behaviour through introducing students to the principles of new historicist literary theory. We explore how literary and non-literary texts and performances can give insight into human attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. In Year 9 students study William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’, Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’, and Erich Maria Remarque’s ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ alongside a selection of war poetry.

Across KS3 all pupils will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, and will be given opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audiences.

 

KS4 Curriculum

The KS4 curriculum has been designed as a Threshold Curriculum and has been planned to interleave key assessment skills for both Literature and Language GCSEs respectively.  The six core concepts underpin our KS4 curriculum are:

  • The concepts are based on the understanding of:
  • The relationship between grammar and meaning.
  • The effect of context, both on writers and readers.
  • The need to use supporting evidence for ideas.
  • The ways in which language can affect readers.
  • How different ways of structuring text can produce different effects.
  • How language can be analysed to reveal a variety meanings

Students at JHNCC study Eduqas GCSE English Literature and AQA English Language. Throughout the two year course students work towards two exams for Literature with a study of: 

Component 1: 

  • ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare,
  • An anthology of poetry from the eighteenth century to the present day.

Component 2:

  • Post-1914 Drama: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley,
  • Pre-1900 Prose: ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens,
  • Unseen Poetry

As part of the Language course pupils will read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts from across the 19th, 20th and 21st Century. Will also develop the skills of creative writing and writing non-fiction texts for different audiences and purposes. Students will sit two exams for this GCSE and complete a separate spoken language exam. 

KS5 Curriculum

Those that want to further their knowledge of Language and Literature are warmly welcomed to join us at KS5 by undertaking a study of one of the following courses:

AQA English Literature A-Level (Specification A):

This A Level can be broken down into three components - two exams and a non-exam assessment: Independent critical study.

Paper 1: Love Through the Ages

Study of three texts: 

  • An anthology of pre-1900 poetry which features poets such as John Keats, William Blake and Lord Byron.
  • ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare

The exam will include two unseen poems.

Paper 2: Modern Times

Study of three texts: 

  • ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tenessee Williams
  • ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood
  • ‘Feminine Gospels’ by Carol Ann Duffy

The exam will include an analysis of an unseen extract. 

Non-Examined Assessment

The final component for this A Level is a non-examined assessment which is an independent critical study of texts across time. This unit works towards the completion of a 2000/2500 word comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900.

AQA English Language and Literature A-Level

Paper 1: Telling Stories

Study of three texts: 

  • ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Attwood
  • Paris Anthology
  • Carol Ann Duffy - Poetry anthology

Paper 2: Exploring Conflict

Study of two texts:

  • ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams
  • ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Exam will include an unseen extract. 

Non-Examined Assessment

The final component for this A Level is a non-examined assessment which is a personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in both literary and non-literary discourse. This component involves the completion of a 2500-3000 assignment.