English Language & Literature

At Hornchurch High School, our end goal, as a department, is to foster and encourage a love for English that will allow them to move forward in life and onward towards employability or A-Level.   In our English department, we want all students to able to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others. Throughout their five years, students will acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language. To encourage thinking and critical opinions, students will use discussion in order to learn; they will be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas for their own personal voice. Students will be exposed to various types of GCSE Language and GCSE Literature across their years of study which will ensure diversity and exposure to a rich cultural capital using both fiction and non-fiction texts. On leaving our school, students will be able to access English Language and Literature GCSE exams using a specific skill set (analysis, evaluation comparison, summary) they will have developed since Year 7 onto their next chosen path in life. 

KS3 is used to develop and grow a love for English through engagement; exciting and challenging texts (Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men, short stories, poetry from around the world) are used to expose students to topics that will openly encourage debate and free thinking. KS3 skills focus on reading, vocabulary and writing acquired through a blend of texts and extracts. In this early stage of their secondary journey, we aim to embed the concept of assessment objective success so students are familiar with this at KS4. Therefore, students will have prior knowledge of skills and context needed for GCSE final exams. By embedding the above at KS3, we allow for KS4 success in writing clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences expressing their opinions and thoughts

We use our KS3 curriculum to broaden the cultural capital of our students and cover fresh, modern and relevant issues in society such as our scheme of work called ‘Events that Changed the World’ which studies things like Jessie Owens, MOBO awards, Women’s World Cup etc. KS3 reading covers fiction and non-fiction texts from a wide coverage of genres, historical periods, forms and authors, including high-quality works from English literature, both pre-1914 and contemporary, including prose, poetry and drama; Shakespeare as outlined in the National Curriculum. Our KS3 programme of study allows students to prepare for KS4 as all of the skills are transferrable and will aid independence, growth and confidence in the field.


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