English is an essential subject for all learners; English is the foundation of accessing the whole curriculum and opportunities for study and employment after leaving school. English lessons at Mayesbrook Park School teach and refine the life skills of reading, writing and communication.
Curriculum Intent: What do we want students to know and remember?
We plan schemes of learning which are aspirational for all students and through adaptive teaching we support all students to progress and fulfil their potential. The golden thread which connects the curriculum design and delivery at Mayesbrook Park School is based on Bloom's Taxonomy; this framework is applied in English to structure, refine and revisit learning in greater depth.
Many students arrive lacking in confidence with English or believe that literature is not relevant to their lives. Through half termly targeted assessment we identify students’ learning needs and strengths. We address learning gaps so that students are able to develop confidence; understand that language is powerful and meaningful; invite students to reflect on their own experiences, connecting learning to their own lives.
Implementation: How do we achieve this?
Our students understand that we are all part of humanity. Studying English Literature and Language provides opportunities for students to understand that human beings share common emotions and experiences; we use texts to question, explore and learn from the experiences and mistakes of others. To achieve our curriculum aims and objectives we utilise a variety of learning strategies to improve student attainment including: explicit teaching; recall; quizzes; whole class and independent reading and writing tasks; targeted interventions.
English at Key Stage 3
Mayesbrook Park’s KS3 curriculum has been designed around ‘big questions’, intended to stimulate critical thinking and connect ‘English’ to the wider world. Students develop confidence and skills with oracy, listening, reading and writing through a range of fiction and non-fiction texts.
Our thematically designed curriculum asks questions such as:
- How do writers explore the complex nature of relationships?
- How is rhetoric used to inspire social change?
- How can writers help me to understand different perspectives?
English at Key Stage 4
Students follow a two year English Literature and Language curriculum with a clear focus on GCSE examination success.
We encourage all students to study both Language and Literature, reading and analysing the following texts:
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley
- Power and Conflict AQA Poetry Anthology
At the end of Key Stage 4, students will be entered for the following exams:
- AQA English Language
- AQA English Literature
- AQA English Functional Skills
Impact:
Our team of English teachers are experienced in building positive relationships with students which support them to make positive choices and engage with learning in English. We are committed to sharing with them our love of literature and the power of words!
2021 Year 11 Results
English Language:
9 - 1 90%
9 - 4 41%
9 - 5 31%
English Literature:
9 - 1 72%
9 - 4 28%
9 - 5 14%
Spoken Language:
Pass 66%
Merit 21%
Distinction 7%
2019
English grade 1 - 7 77%