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Key Stage 3

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  4. Key Stage 3

Year 7

Intent

Our Year 7 curriculum introduces students to the origins of narrative writing, ensuring they gain insight into aspects of oral story-telling, character types and narrative structure. Our Year 7 students begin their journey with Greek mythology, navigate through Victorian England and complete their Year 7 journey with Shakespearean stage craft. At every aspect of their study, we develop confident and curious readers who communicate with purpose.

Learning Journey

Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Homer’s The Odyssey

Supporting Literature:

  • Circe by Madeline Miller
  • Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy
  • The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
  • The Story of Mansa Musa
  • Nellie Bly’s Journey Around the World
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Understand narrative structures.
  • Acquire knowledge of influential mythology.
  • Explore character tropes.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Understand the changing depictions of gender roles.
  • Exposure to myths and legends.
  • Understanding of Greek mythological characters.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Mythology
  2. Protagonist
  3. Pathetic fallacy
  4. Patriarchy
  5. Classical hero
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Homer’s The Odyssey

Supporting Literature:

  • Circe by Madeline Miller
  • Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy
  • The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
  • The Story of Mansa Musa
  • Nellie Bly’s Journey Around the World
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Develop the ability to decipher complex texts through summarizing and clarifying skills.
  • Apply character types to creative writing.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Develop understanding of resilience.
  • Consider what drives the human need for discovery.
  • Make connections to modern fictional interpretations.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Xenophobia
  2. Deity
  3. Anthropomorphic
  4. Perspective
  5. Polytheism

 

Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Supporting Literature:

  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding
  • Nettles by Vernon Scannell
  • London by William Blake
  • I am Malala by Malala Yousufzai
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Decipher complex texts for understanding.
  • Understand the conventions of a Bildungsroman novel.
  • Discussing the author’s history to understand overarching purpose.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Consider significant changes in British society.
  • Understanding the history of education and the welfare state.
  • Exploring unhealthy relationships and friendships.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Poverty
  2. Social class
  3. Brutality
  4. Corruption
  5. Victim
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Supporting Literature:

  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding
  • Nettles by Vernon Scannell
  • London by William Blake
  • I am Malala by Malala Yousufzai
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Analyse the presentation of crime.
  • Understand the limited role of women in a patriarchy.
  • Introduction to Victorian Literature.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Examining how economic theories can impact societal viewpoints (Malthusian).
  • Developing tolerance for all in society.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Patriarchy
  2. Social reform
  3. Morality
  4. Antagonist
  5. Dickensian
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Much Ado About Nothing  by William Shakespeare

Supporting Literature:

  • The Red Room by HG Wells
  • Jack the Ripper articles
  • The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • This is the 6 o’clock news by Tom Leonard
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Introduce to stage craft and dramatic devices.
  • Recognise where characters are vilified as a result of intolerance.
  • Introduce Shakespearean context.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Understand the impact of the British Empire on other cultures.
  • Understand the dangers of stereotypes.
  • Introduced to psychology of internalizing stereotypes. 
Key Vocabulary
  1. Protagonist
  2. Antagonist
  3. Tragic hero
  4. Duplicity  
  5. Machiavellian
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Much Ado About Nothing  by William Shakespeare

Supporting Literature:

  • The Red Room by HG Wells
  • Jack the Ripper articles
  • The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sherlock Holmes
  • This is the 6 o’clock news by Tom Leonard
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Refine reading skills and apply to complex extracts.
  • Articulate understanding in an academic manner.
  • Examine archetypal detective character tropes and apply to narrative writing. 
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Reflect on the changing nature of crime.
  • Examine the demonization of transgressive female characters.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Subjugate
  2. Internalize
  3. Vilify
  4. Hamartia
  5. Denouement

Year 8

Intent

As our students progress into Year 8, they are immersed in a plethora of the world’s most influential texts which form the grounding to our integrated study. Our students develop the ability to read critically and understand the power of language to influence human thought and action. More importantly, our students can articulate their understanding, thoughts and ideas in an increasingly clear and purposeful manner.

Learning Journey

Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Supporting Literature:  

  • Climbing my Grandfather by Andrew Waterhouse
  • Mother Any Distance by Simon Armitage
  • Greta Thunberg speech
  • Oscar Wilde and Beethoven letters
  • The Space Between Us by Zoya Pirzad
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas playscript
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Discussing challenging topics.
  • Understanding human capacity for story-telling.
  • Inferring hidden symbolism and foreshadowing within a body of text.
Enriched Knowledge
  • Understanding relationships with care-givers.
  • Exploring the lives of young carers in the UK.
  • Reflecting on individual’s hidden lives and the impact of our actions. 
Key Vocabulary
  1. Allegory
  2. Grief
  3. Fantastical
  4. Alienates
  5. Hostility
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Supporting Literature:  

  • Climbing my Grandfather by Andrew Waterhouse
  • Mother Any Distance by Simon Armitage
  • Greta Thunberg speech
  • Oscar Wilde and Beethoven letters
  • The Space Between Us by Zoya Pirzad
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Refining ability to write creatively.
  • Analysing the creation of mood and tension.
  • Applying thematic links to different text forms.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Developing introspection on how our actions affect others.
  • Understanding the impact of grief.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Bereavement
  2. Inner conflict
  3. Resilience
  4. Bildungsroman
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Animal Farm by George Orwell

Supporting Literature:

  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • 1984 by George Orwell
  • The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  • Political speeches (Stalin)
  • First They Came by Martin Niemoller
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Identifying dystopian conventions.
  • Understanding the concept of society.
  • Recognising the influence of dystopian narratives on society.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Introduction to socialism and wider politic constructs.
  • Exploring the principles of power and hierarchy.
  • Gain insight into how information can be manipulated.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Dystopia
  2. Hierarchy
  3. Tyrant
  4. Conformity
  5. Bias

 

Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Animal Farm by George Orwell

Supporting Literature:

  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • 1984 by George Orwell
  • The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  • Political speeches (Stalin)
  • First They Came by Martin Niemoller
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Exploring the impact of historical influences.
  • Analysing structural elements of the text.
  • Debating political stances.
  • Creating imagined worlds that reflect societal issues and call for social reform.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Articulating independent thought in an informed and considerate manner.
  • Reflect on different values and principles in a respectful manner.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Censorship
  2. Dictatorship
  3. Totalitarian
  4. Repressive
  5. Allegory
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Noughts and Crosses by Dominic Cooke (Malorie Blackman)

Supporting Literature:

  • Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges articles
  • John Boyega speech BLM
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
  • Emma Watson women’s rights speech
  • Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
  • An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
  • Noughts and Crosses novel by Malorie Blackman
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Introduce aspects of tragedy.
  • Identify dystopian elements.
  • Analyse multiple forms of protest in writing. E.g. speeches.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Explore historical protests and how such protesting shaped our world.
  • Examine the impact of systemic racism.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Oppression
  2. Privilege
  3. Perception
  4. Tragedy
  5. Dystopia
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Noughts and Crosses by Dominic Cooke (Malorie Blackman)

Supporting Literature:

  • Stonewall riots
  • Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges articles
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
  • Emma Watson women’s rights speech
  • Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
  • An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
  • Noughts and Crosses novel by Malorie Blackman
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Explore how inequalities are presented.
  • Understand hierarchical structures and how they are used as a method of control.
  • Explore how the writer utilizes historical events in the texts.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Instill values of mutual respect and tolerance.
  • Discuss challenging topics with sensitivity and respect.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Allusion
  2. Colonization
  3. Optimism
  4. Poignant
  5. Discrimination

Year 9

Intent

Y9 English utilizes our students’ empathy and transforms this into introspection. Students grapple with complex and abstract ideas and apply their inference skills to understand the nuances of language and how meaning is shaped. Academic writing is refined enabling our students to communicate with confidence, purpose and clarity.

Learning Journey

Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Noughts and Crosses by Dominic Cooke (Malorie Blackman)

Supporting Literature:  

  • Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges articles
  • John Boyega speech BLM
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
  • Emma Watson women’s rights speech
  • Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
  • An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
  • Noughts and Crosses novel by Malorie Blackman
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Introduce aspects of tragedy.
  • Identify dystopian elements.
  • Analyse multiple forms of protest in writing. E.g. speeches.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Explore historical protests and how such protesting shaped our world.
  • Examine the impact of systemic racism.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Oppression
  2. Privilege
  3. Perception
  4. Tragedy
  5. Dystopia
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Noughts and Crosses by Dominic Cooke (Malorie Blackman)

Supporting Literature:  

  • Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges articles
  • John Boyega speech BLM
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
  • Emma Watson women’s rights speech
  • Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
  • An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
  • Noughts and Crosses novel by Malorie Blackman
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Explore how inequalities are presented.
  • Understand hierarchical structures and how they are used as a method of control.
  • Explore how the writer utilizes historical events in the texts.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Instill values of mutual respect and tolerance.
  • Discuss challenging topics with sensitivity and respect.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Allusion
  2. Colonization
  3. Optimism
  4. Poignant
  5. Discrimination
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Supporting Literature:  

  • Not My Business by Niyi Osunare
  • Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
  • Fight Club  by Chuck Palahniuk The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepytys
  • My Mistress’ Eyes by William Shakespeare
  • Porphyria’s Lover by Robert Browning
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Develop understanding of Shakespearean stage craft and its effect.
  • Consider the aspects of tragedy in the play.
  • Consider the position of women on the Shakespearean stage.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Appreciate the value of clear communication.
  • Understand the impact of patriarchal society.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Tragedy
  2. Poignant
  3. Futility
  4. Prejudice
  5. Idealism
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Supporting Literature:  

  • Not My Business by Niyi Osunare
  • Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
  • Fight Club  by Chuck Palahniuk The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepytys
  • My Mistress’ Eyes by William Shakespeare
  • Porphyria’s Lover by Robert Browning
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Analyse the impact of patriarchal society on this narrative.
  • Independently decipher complex extracts for meaning.
  • Explore the futility of violence.
  • Examine multiple texts that depict conflict.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Explore the impact of conflict on the individual.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Inner conflict
  2. Clandestine
  3. Hierarchy
  4. Antagonistic
  5. Patriarchy
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Small Island by Andrea Levy

Supporting Literature:  

  • St Anns and Notting Hill riots
  • Mosely’s speech
  • Search for my Tongue by Sujata Bhatt
  • The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
  • Small Island playscript
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Introduce a chronological narrative structure.
  • Consider the reliability of multiple narrators.
  • Explore themes of classism.
  • Compare to non-fiction accounts.
  • Connect the historical influences of the book.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Consider what identity means in our world.
  • Develop introspection on treatment of others.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Identity
  2. Heritage
  3. Colonisation
  4. Eurocentric
  5. Patriotism
Literary Works

Core Literature:

  • Small Island by Andrea Levy

Supporting Literature:  

  • St Anns and Notting Hill riots
  • Mosely’s speech
  • Search for my Tongue by Sujata Bhatt
  • The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
  • Small Island playscript
Core Knowledge and Skills
  • Develop analytical skills and academic writing style in the final half term of KS3.
  • Closely consider the nuances of language and their impact on the reader.
  • Deploy understanding of character types and narrative structure to own creative writing.
Enriched Knowledge and Skills
  • Continue to develop mutual respect, tolerance and introspection.
Key Vocabulary
  1. Assimilation
  2. Prejudice
  3. Discrimination
  4. Displacement
  5. Systemic

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