In Year 7, students begin their journey through engaging and imaginative texts that spark curiosity and establish core literary skills. Through studying Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, students explore the conventions of mystery and Gothic fiction whilst developing inference, analysis and creative writing skills. Poetry broadens their understanding of language and poetic devices, while In the Sea There Are Crocodiles introduces themes of migration, resilience and identity. Shakespeare is introduced through A Midsummer Night’s Dream, allowing students to build confidence in reading challenging literary texts while developing an appreciation of dramatic storytelling.

In Year 8, students deepen their understanding of literature as a vehicle for social commentary and human experience. The study of language as a force for change encourages students to consider how words influence society and challenge injustice. Through Orwell’s Animal Farm, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Malorie Blackman’s Boys Don’t Cry, students explore power, relationships, prejudice and personal responsibility. The year concludes with war poetry, introducing students to the impact of conflict and the ways poets convey emotion and perspective.

During Year 9, students begin bridging the transition to GCSE study. Through I Must Betray You, students engage with themes of oppression, freedom and moral courage. Narrative and descriptive writing units develop increasingly sophisticated communication skills, while non-fiction and transactional writing help students understand how writers shape opinions and present arguments. The study of An Inspector Calls and a thematic anthology focused on war and conflict encourages students to make connections between literature, history and contemporary society.

At GCSE, students build secure knowledge of key examination texts while refining analytical and evaluative skills. In Year 10, students study Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Macbeth, exploring ideas about morality, ambition, identity and society. Alongside literary study, students develop their understanding of English Language through analytical reading, persuasive writing, speech writing and spoken language assessment. The poetry anthology provides opportunities to explore themes including youth, identity, belonging, nature and romantic love.

Year 11 focuses on consolidation, revision and mastery. Students revisit core texts including Macbeth, An Inspector Calls, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and the poetry anthology, while strengthening their confidence in both English Literature and English Language examination skills. Through revision of unseen poetry and language papers, students become increasingly independent and reflective learners, capable of producing insightful and sophisticated responses.

At Key Stage 5, students encounter a broad and intellectually demanding range of texts. Literature students study Shakespeare’s Othello, Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Keats’ poetry, Brighton Rock and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Language and Literature students explore texts including Frankenstein, The Kite Runner, A Streetcar Named Desire and Browning’s poetry. Across Years 12 and 13, students undertake independent Non-Examined Assessment projects, developing advanced research, critical thinking and academic writing skills that prepare them for higher education and future careers.

The English curriculum is enriched through a variety of opportunities beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in reading groups, creative writing competitions, theatre visits, author events, public speaking activities and debating competitions. Engagement with school productions and performance opportunities helps students develop confidence, collaboration and communication skills. Independent reading is actively promoted through library provision, reading challenges and enrichment activities which foster a lifelong appreciation of literature and language. These experiences help students see English not only as an academic subject but as a means of understanding themselves, others and the wider world.

AQA GCSE English Language (AQA 8700)

WJEC/EDUQAS GCSE English Literature (C720QS)

AQA A Level English Literature B (AQA 7717)

AQA A Level English Language and Literature (AQA 7707)

Year 7

• The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman
• The London Eye Mystery – Siobhan Dowd
• Coraline – Neil Gaiman
• A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

Year 8

• Noughts & Crosses – Malorie Blackman
• The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
• Private Peaceful – Michael Morpurgo
• The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton

Year 9

• 1984 – George Orwell
• The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
• Refugee – Alan Gratz
• Lord of the Flies – William Golding

Years 10–11

• Animal Farm – George Orwell
• Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro
• A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
• The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson

Years 12–13

• The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
• Beloved – Toni Morrison
• The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
• Selected poetry by Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney and Simon Armitage.

1. British Library – https://www.bl.uk

• Explore original manuscripts and literary archives.
• Compare drafts of famous texts with final published versions.

2. Poetry Foundation – https://www.poetryfoundation.org

• Read a poem each week and maintain a personal literary journal.
• Compare different poetic movements and styles.

3. National Theatre Collection – https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

• Watch recorded performances and write theatre reviews.
• Compare stage interpretations of Shakespeare plays.

4. BBC In Our Time – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl

• Listen to literature episodes and produce critical summaries.

5. Royal Society of Literature – https://rsliterature.org

• Follow author talks and literary discussions.

6. Cambridge English Faculty

• https://www.english.cam.ac.uk
• Read undergraduate reading lists and explore literary criticism.