English

CURRICULUM INTENT

Our ambition is to provide a challenging curriculum which introduces our young people to some of the best writing and spoken word from around the world. We work to inspire our students’ love of language and their ability to employ it for their future success. 

At Sunbury Manor we recognise the importance of language and literacy to every curriculum subject, and to all future study and training our young people will graduate to. Our curriculum focuses on developing confident reading and exploring the social, historical and moral contexts. Students are able to explore the richness of a wide variety of cultures and view the world through different eyes. We teach students to develop their own personal voice in their writing, ensuring that they can create, analyse, and evaluate effectively. 

For GCSE we follow the EDUQAS syllabus and all students study GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature during Years 10 and 11. In Language, students learn to approach complex articles from the 21st and 19th Century, and how to write functional and persuasive texts suited to the world of work. They consider a range of sophisticated fiction and look more closely at how 20th Century writers craft their work for effect. Our Literature course allows for the study of Shakespeare, Stevenson, Priestley and a collection of poets from the 16 Century to the modern day. It is a robust, challenging programme of study and our students thrive. We are so proud of their successes.  

In English, students are taught in mixed ability groups by English specialists. Classes are carefully composed to ensure that there is a balanced range of ability, meaning that all students are able to engage and be challenged. 

Beyond the classroom, our students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. Our Book Clubs give our students an opportunity to share their passion for reading. Alongside this, we offer creative writing, magazine clubs, early readers support, boosters for KS3, revision for KS4 and trips throughout the year.  Previous enrichment activities have included Poetry Live!, theatre performances, visiting authors and drama workshops. For those more interested in argument and debate, Youth Speaks is a popular debating competition in which our students have achieved much success in recent years, proudly returning to school with a number of trophies in recognition of their enthusiasm and talent for public speaking.

Our students continue to be successful in English at Post-16. For those who wish to continue their English studies, Literature and Language A-level courses are popular choices in which our students continue succeed. For those who progress to apprenticeships and diplomas, their English skills enable them to pursue courses in a wide range of professions.

 

What type of activities take place in lessons?

Students will take part in a range of activities in lessons in order to prepare them for their final exams. They will take part in both small group and class discussions and debates and will be expected to collaborate with their peers regularly. We also make use of ICT for research based activities and students will produce presentations. There will be a lot of emphasis placed on students written work as this will be important for their final exams.

What type of homework tasks will be set?

Students will be expected to complete homework tasks as a support for the work we do in class. They may be asked to carry out some research, make notes or produce an extended piece of writing. They work they do at home is an extension of classwork and also encourages students to become independent learners.

Revision tasks, mind maps as well as timed essays and research activities are encouraged.  

Other Study

Students need to be reading widely. Students are encouraged to re-read the set texts for the exam.

How will it help me in the future?

GCSE English will give you the skills and qualifications needed for entrance to Colleges of Further and Higher Education. Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing are essential skills required for progress in the world of work

How will this course build on what I have studied in Year 9?

In years 7- 9 students have followed a Key Stage 3 course. All of the elements of it feed into what will be covered in Years 10 and 11. What will be developed are your examination skills and appreciation of literature and language, as well as building on your written and spoken communication skills.

Due to the demands of the new curriculum, some of the content of the GCSE courses will be started in Year 9.

What skills will I develop?

You will develop your reading and understanding, planning, writing and communication skills.

We also aim to develop students’ confidence both in their reading and their speaking skills and to encourage them to become independent learners.

 

Please click on the expandable sections below for more details including the curriculum overview and specification.

 

English Curriculum Overview

 

English Curriculum Overview

2024-2026 Cohort 

 

Autumn 1 (7)

Autumn 2 (7)

Spring 1 (6)

Spring 2 (5)

Summer 1 (6)

Summer 2 (7)

 

Y7

 

Ancient Tales, Myths and Legends.  

 

Begin Modern Novel 

 

Modern Novel: A Girl of Ink and Stars 

 

Genre Studies: Science Fiction & Fantasy 

Poetry: Childhood and Growing Up 

Persuasive Non-Fiction: Charity and Media  

Short Story Genres & Creative Writing

 

 

Y8

 

Modern Play: Refugee Boy

 

Genre Studies: Gothic Fiction

 

Victorian Novel: A Christmas Carol 

 

Poetry: Protest & Empowerment 

 

 

World Views: Non-Fiction articles, speeches & autobiography 

Shakespeare

The Tempest or Much Ado About Nothing

 

Y9

 

Modern Novel: Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman. 

 

 

Genre Studies: Realism in Narrative Fiction

Poetry: Identity and Freedom

 

Non-Fiction Studies 

 

Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet

Literary Fiction & Non-Fiction Studies 

 

 

Stepping up to GCSE – An Inspector Calls

 

 

 

 

 

Y10

 

Reading Non-Fiction. 

 

 

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley

 

Articles and Guides.

 

Anthology Poetry 1: War 

 

Letters & Speeches;

 

 

Anthology Poetry 2: Nature   

 

 

 

 19th Century Novel – Jekyll and Hyde by Stevenson 

20th Century Fiction and Creative Writing

  

Macbeth by Shakespeare 

  

 

Macbeth by Shakespeare 

 

 

Mock Exam Preparation: 

Macbeth, Poetry, C1 Reading and Creative. 

Mock Exam Preparation- Macbeth, Poetry and Language Fiction & Creative.  

 

Speaking and Listening Exam 

 

Unseen Poetry 

 

 

Y11

 

GCSE Language:

Non Fiction Reading and  Writing 

 

 

Anthology Poetry 3: 

Relationships

GCSE Language: Reading Fiction and Creative Writing 

 

Anthology Poetry 4: Power and Place. 

Language Revision- all. 

 

Literature Revision: 

An Inspector Calls, Jekyll and Hyde, 

Unseen Poetry

Language Revision -all. 

 

Literature Revision: Macbeth and Anthology Poetry 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

2025-2027 Cohort 

 

Y10

 

 

C1 Reading Fiction & Creative Writing (4)

 

 

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley (3)

 

 

 

C2 Reading Non-Fiction  (5)

 

 

 

Poetry Skills & Anthology Poetry - Cluster 1, 6 poems (2)

 

C2 Non-Fiction writing skills & Letter & Speech Writing (1)

 

19th Century Novel – Jekyll and Hyde by Stevenson (5)

 

C1 Fiction and Creative Writing (2)

  

 

 

Poetry Skills & Anthology Poetry - Cluster 2, 6 poems (2)

  

C2 Non-Fiction Writing skills & Article Writing (1)

 

 

Macbeth by Shakespeare (5)

 

 

 

Poetry Skills & Anthology Poetry - Cluster 3, 3 poems (1)

 

 

End of year Exam revision: AIC, J&H & C1 (3)

 

 

GCSE Formal Speaking and Listening Exam 

 

 

Unseen Poetry (2)

 

 

 

Y11

 

C2 Reading & Writing skills: reviews & reports, revision of articles, speeches and letters. (4)

 

Literature Revision – Macbeth, Anthology (2)

 

Mid-Term Mock: Full C2 & Macbeth, Anthology Poetry (1)

 

C2 Exam Development (1) 

 

C1 Reading Fiction and Creative Writing (3)

 

Literature Revision: AIC, J&H, Unseen (3)

Y11 Mock Exams: 

 

Full

C1 & C2;   

 

An Inspector Calls, Jekyll and Hyde, Unseen Poetry,  

 

 

Mock Feedback and Development. 

C1 & C2 Language Revision. 

 

Literature Revision: Macbeth and Anthology Poetry, An Inspector Calls, Jekyll and Hyde, 

Unseen Poetry

 

 

 

C1 & C2 Language Revision. 

 

Literature Revision: Macbeth and Anthology Poetry, An Inspector Calls, Jekyll and Hyde, 

Unseen Poetry

 

 

 

 

GCSE Specifications

Key Stage 4 Specification

Subject Leader: 

Mrs S Wright

Contact:

swright@sunburymanor.surrey.sch.uk

Exam Specification:

Eduqas GCSE English Language and English Literature

QN Code:

English Language: 601/4505/5 
English Lit: 601/5246/1

 

 

Summary of course content

All students follow a National Curriculum course in English leading towards a compulsory GCSE examination at the end of Key Stage 4.

The aim of the English Faculty is to enter all students for GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. These subjects are examined and assessed as separate GCSEs.

 

The content of the English Language courses will be sufficiently varied to enable learners to:

  • Read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding.
  • Read critically, and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their writing.
  • Write effectively and coherently using Standard English accurately.
  • Use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately.
  • Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.

The content of the English Literature course will require learners to:

  • Read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading.
  • Read in depth, critically, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas.
  • Develop the habit of reading widely and often.
  • Appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage.
  • Write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English.
  • Acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read.

Assessment

The English Language GCSE

This will be assessed in two ways. There will be two external examinations at the end of Year 11 – these will determine the final grade you achieve. There will also be an assessment of your speaking and listening skills – this is assessed internally, and is compulsory, but does not count towards your final grade.

Each exam component will have two sections – a reading section and a writing section.

Exam (Component) 1 – 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Writing (1 hour and 45 minutes. 40% of qualification).

This exam will have two sections:

  • Section A will be a series of questions on an unseen prose extract.
  • Section B will be a creative writing task.

Exam (Component) 2 – 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing (2hours. 60% of qualification).

This exam will have two sections:

  • A series of questions about two extracts of non-fiction writing from the 19th and 21st centuries.
  • Two transactional /persuasive writing tasks

 

The English Literature GCSE

This will also be assessed through two external examinations.

Exam (Component) 1 – Shakespeare and Poetry (2 hours. 40% of qualification).

 This exam will have two sections.

  • Section A will be a question and an essay about a particular Shakespeare play. (Macbeth)
  • Section B will be questions about poetry from 1789 to present, which will have been studied in advance.

Exam (Component) 2 – Post 1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry(2hours. 60% of qualification).

This exam will have three sections:

  • One question on a particular text from post 1914 prose or drama. (An Inspector Calls)
  • One question on a particular 19th Century prose text. (The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde)
  • Two questions on unseen poetry.

 

Assessment: 

The final grade at GCSE is determined by:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE: 

2 final written exam papers

ENGLISH LITERATURE GCSE: 

2 final written exam papers