English
The study of English is absolutely crucial in developing skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening; all exceptionally important when studying any subject in the curriculum at secondary school and beyond. Our aim as a department is to develop and build these skills in all of our students to equip them with the confidence to be successful in further study and society; to enable them to become excellent listeners and to show them the most effective ways to have their own voices heard in many different situations and contexts.
English is about more than developing competence in key areas, however, and English teachers at Davenant work hard to foster critical thinking skills and an understanding of the world around us. We also strive to introduce students to a passion and a love of Literature through exposure to many different types of texts, written by a range of authors.
‘Getting better at English has made me a more confident person outside school as well as inside’
KEY STAGE 3
Students study and compose a breadth of fiction and non-fiction works across six half-termly units, with a view to developing a foundation of skills and knowledge required to succeed at KS4. Students are also actively encouraged to read and enjoy books for pleasure outside of the core curriculum.
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Unit 1 |
A History of Literature An introduction to the literary timeline, exploring archetypal characters throughout time, with an overview of the classics and Greek mythology. |
Novel study (covers 1 term)
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Novel study An in depth study of ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck. This unit ends with reading extracts from Ugly Dogs Don’t Cry by DD Armstrong. This is a modern novel with close links to the themes within Of Mice and Men. |
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Unit 2 |
Novel Study (covers 2 half terms) An in depth study of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
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A History of Rhetoric Students consider the origin and role of rhetoric throughout literature and non-fiction and study the key characters who helped to shape modern rhetoric. |
Inequality A mini unit where pupils consider rhetoric that is closely linked to the themes within Of Mice and Men.
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Unit 3 |
Poetry study Analysing a range of poetry, about identity and culture, written by a variety of poets from around the world. Typical poems include: ‘Island Man’ by Grace Nichols, ‘Search for my Tongue’ by Sujata Bhatt and ‘Refugee Blues’ by W.H. Auden. |
Poetry study Analysing a range of poetry, about family relationships, written by a variety of poets from around the world. Typical poems include: ‘Mother to son’ by Langston Hughes, ‘Eden Rock’ by Charles Causley and ‘Mother, any distance’ by Simon Armitage.
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Play study An in depth study of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. |
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Unit 4 |
Play study (covers two half terms) |
Play study An in depth study of ‘Coram Boy’ by Helen Edmundson. |
Poetry study |
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Unit 5 |
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Short Stories Students read and analyse a range of short stories from around the world. At the end of the unit, students write their own short story. |
The Gothic Students read and analyse Gothic short stories, extracts from novels and film excerpts. |
KEY STAGE 4
Students studying the subject at GCSE follow the AQA English Language and AQA English Literature specification. During the course, the following topics are covered:
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Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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GCSE English Literature Paper One Nineteenth century novel: A Christmas Carol Paper Two Modern text: An Inspector Calls Past and Present poetry anthology: Worlds and Lives poetry GCSE English Language Paper One Reading and writing fiction Paper Two Writing with a viewpoint Spoken Language Assessment |
GCSE English Literature Paper One Shakespeare: Macbeth Nineteenth century novel: A Christmas Carol GCSE English Language Paper Two Reading non-fiction |
For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website:
A LEVEL – ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Students studying the subject at A Level follow the AQA specification. During the course the following topics are covered:
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Year 12 |
Year 13 |
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Introduction to Language Levels The Handmaid's Tale AQA Paris Anthology (non-literary texts) A Strretcar Named Desire The Poetry of Carol Ann Duff |
The Great Gatsby - re-creative writing Non-Exam Assessment – an investigation comparing aspects of linguistics across literary and non-literary texts Further study of Paris Anthology |
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For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-language-and-literature-7706-7707
A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE
Students studying the subject at A Level follow the AQA specification. During the course the following topics are covered:
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Year 12 |
Year 13 |
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Death of a Salesman The Handmaid's Tale |
The Kite Runner Non Exam Assessment - prose Non Exam Assessment - poetry Political and Social Protest unseen extracts - poetry, prose and drama Exam Skills and Revision |
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For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website: http://https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-b-7716-7717