English Language

Vision

Language creates wars; language tears down barriers; language makes change happen and language is the architecture of expression. We want our students to acknowledge and appreciate the power of the words that they hear, read and speak every day and we achieve this through our ambitious and inclusive curriculum that is rich in literary heritage. Nurturing the character of each individual student to encourage kindness and decency within our community is at the core of our curriculum. We endeavour to promote and encourage academic success by fostering an appreciation of the written word in all its many forms and together, staff and students explore the riches of communication which we believe is a fundamental skill for life.

Curriculum Intent

The English Intent is underpinned by four aims:

Together, staff and students explore the riches of communication whilst developing an appreciation for the written word in all its many forms considering how communication has evolved, changed, been manipulated and articulated to achieve effects.

Every student develops to become a more resilient and confident reader, writer and speaker. Communication is, after all, the architecture of expression; at The Hayfield School we believe that kindness and decency should be modelled in all forms of communication.

Our English Language and English Literature learning journeys abandon the constraints of time. This ensures the delivery of a rich and diverse curriculum that is representative of fundamental British values to inform students character and culture. 

 It is the overall aim of the English department to raise aspirations by ensuring every student reaches, achieves and strives to exceed their academic potential by instilling a strong work ethic in every student, a work ethic that will lead to success in life beyond school.

KS3

Subject objective:

  • To apply the skills developed at KS2;
  • To read easily, fluently and with good understanding develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information;
  • Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
  • Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage;
  • Articulate themselves clearly, accurately and coherently through both written and spoken language;
  • To adapt their language and style in and for a range of contexts;
  • To ensure students are equipped to explore skills at KS4 by offering an ambitious and challenging KS3 curriculum;

Curriculum Overview

Each topic is carefully chosen and sequenced to complement students’ learning in English Literature to allow students to build their cultural capital on the topic being explored.

Year 7: School Days: exploring fiction and descriptive writing, Nature and animals: exploring non-fiction and letter writing, The language of Warfare: exploring fiction and narrative writing

Year 8: Society and Me: exploring non-fiction and speech writing, Gothic explorations: exploring gothic fiction and creative writing, Fighting for Your Rights: exploring nonfiction and viewpoint writing.

Year 9: Language and Relationships: exploring fiction and creative writing, Language and Crime: exploring nonfiction, Morals and Values: article writing, Language and Society: exploring fiction, Language and Power: exploring nonfiction

7N: School Days: descriptive writing, Groosham Grange: exploring fiction, Nature and Animals: letter writing, The Language of Warfare: exploring fiction.

8N: Society and Me: speech writing, Gothic explorations: creative writing, Fighting for Your Rights: speech writing

Go4Schools is used to track student performance across KS3. This along with regular ‘Unseen’ and ‘STEP’ assessments are used to regularly assess Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening to monitor pupil achievement and progress.

KS4

Why should I study this subject?

You speak the language and are surrounded by the words that make up the English Language, so why do you need to study it?

Being able to communicate is essential, but choosing words for effect is a skill that could lead to an employer choosing you over other candidates, an audience being captivated by your speech and remembering you for the words you choose, or an investor choosing to invest in your company or product. Whatever life beyond The Hayfield School looks like, we can assure you that you will need, and use, the skills you develop in English Language.

Employers say that one of the most valuable skills they look for in people who work for them is good communication skills and this means writing and presentation as well as talking. Being able to write a good cover letter which is free from mistakes can also be key to getting that job in the first place.

Essentially, whenever you need to persuade, entertain, inform or connect with someone, English Language is your best friend. 

What will I study?

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1hr 45 mins)

Section A: Reading – Exploring and analysis extract from fictional texts

Section B: Writing – Creative writing

Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives (1hr 45 mins)

Section A: Reading – Exploring, analysing and comparing how writers convey a viewpoint in nonfiction writing

Section B: Writing – Writing to present a clear viewpoint

How will I be assessed?

Students are formally assessed every half term to monitor progress.

100% examination.

Two, 1 hour 45 minute exams.

What skills will I learn?

Developing your communication skills is at the core of English Language. In order to articulate your ideas and views in a clear way, you will develop a greater understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as exploring how words can create and enhance meaning. These skills will help you succeed in every other subject that you study and will also help you to succeed in life beyond The Hayfield School.

What equipment will I need?

Your pen, your voice and your imagination!

How will this subject develop my sense of character and culture?

Wellbeing, diversity, aspirations and values are central to every text we explore in English Language. You will be encouraged to share your viewpoint on controversial topics and to challenge the values of others in a respectful, yet impactful way. You will achieve this by choosing your words and structuring your argument carefully!

Here’s a snippet of what you can expect to explore throughout Key Stage 4 English Language: diverse viewpoints on hunting and animal cruelty; how nurses were valued 100 years ago and how those values compare to today; how people in the public eye such as Marcus Rashford use their voice to make change happen and to raise aspirations of young people; how criminals use words to convey ideas about their wellbeing as well as their values; how attitudes towards slavery, religion, disabilities and teaching have changed over time; and how protestors use their words to make change happen through purposeful campaigns.

Where can this subject take me?

A grade 4 in English is usually desirable, sometimes essential, to secure a place at sixth form, college or an apprenticeship. A number of Post-16 centres will require students to complete this qualification with them if they do not have it when starting their course. However, you may study english language as part of a wider career, this could include:

  • Journalist (sport, travel, fashion, politics, news, broadcast)
  • Public Relations
  • Editor
  • Teacher
  • Lexicographer
  • Proofreader
  • Writer

Your teacher will be happy to share knowledge of linked professions with you.

The Curriculum Team

Ms J Bostock
Teacher of English
Miss H Dawson
Teacher of English
Miss C Drury
Teacher of English
Miss S Kelly
Director of English Literature
Miss C Lovell
Director of English Language
Mrs E Lowe
Teacher of English
Miss P Odell
Teacher of English
Mr B Robertson
Assistant Headteacher
Miss L Tansley
Teacher of English
Mr J Turner
Teacher of English
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