KS3 English

KS3: Curriculum Overview

Teachers should develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral aspects of the teaching of every subject. English is both a subject in its own right and the medium for teaching; for pupils, understanding the language provides access to the whole curriculum. Fluency in the English language is an essential foundation for success in all subjects.

Key Stage 3 English is split into six half term blocks per year

Year 7 and 8

Term 1: Tribes

Character Study

(SMSC Gangs, Racialisation)

To develop an appreciation and love of reading and read increasingly challenging material
To write accurately, fluently and effectively
To consider how authors have developed characters and settings
To amend vocabulary, grammar and structure of writing to improve its coherence and overall effectiveness

Term 2: Poetry

Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol

(SMSC Exploring cultural identity through poetry)

To recognise a range of poetic conventions
To study setting, plot and characterisation and the effects of these to the reader and audience
To use standard English confidentiality in their own writing and speech
To research Christmas and other celebrations around the world

Term 3: Writing for different purposes

Film review, Presenting skills, Letter writing

(SMSC moral issues; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict)

To use Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts
To summarise and organise material, supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detail
To discuss reading, writing and spoken language with precise and confident use of linguistic and literary terminology
To give short speeches and presentations, expressing their own ideas, keeping to the point

Term 4: Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing

(SMSC Cultural Diversity)

To understand how the work of dramatists is communicated effectively through performance and how alternative staging allows for different interpretations of a play
To appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
to make inferences and refer to evidence in the text

Term 5: Creative Writing

Murder Mystery

(SMSC right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues)

To identify crime and punishment
To plan writing to suit audience and purpose; use models of writing
To study setting, plot and characterisation
To consider how writing reflects the audiences and purposes for which it was intended
To amend vocabulary, grammar and structure of writing to improve its coherence and overall effectiveness

Term 6: Private Peaceful

(SMSC Exploration of social/historical issues)

To read a broad range of genres
To recommend books to others
To make comparisons within/across books
To support inferences with evidence
To summarise key points from texts
Select grammar and vocabulary for effect
Use a wide range of cohesive devices
Ensure grammatical consistency
Use appropriate register/style
Use the passive voice for purpose
Use features to convey and clarify meaning
Use full punctuation