Sir Graham Balfour School

A member of Insight Multi-Academy Trust

English and English Literature

Curriculum Intent

Our vision in English is to generate inquisitive and creative minds; students who can express their ideas fluently in speaking and writing; learners who are able to bring their own interpretations to all the texts we study. From Year 7, we aim to prepare students to explore writers’ intentions and think deeply about the themes in each text and poem studied.  We have tailored the curriculum to build on essential skills learnt in Year 6 and follow a path through new topics to prepare learners for progression into Key Stage 4 and beyond.

We hope that every child will experience the ‘magic’ of a good book and so we encourage and support students in their independent reading.  Additionally, we study non-fiction texts, past and present, as well as the social, moral and historical contexts of all texts. All this exciting reading helps to strengthen students’ own ability to write creatively and discursively; we encourage strong, clear voices and points of view.   Speaking skills are developed through a range of approaches, including individual presentations, class discussion and group work: essential life skills.  Not only do we strive for academic excellence, we also hope that our passion for literature will help students to appreciate their literary heritage and grow into avid readers – and perhaps even the writers of the future.

Key Stage 4 Exam Specification:

  • AQA GCSE English Language
  • AQA GCSE English Literature

Key Stage 5 Exam Specification:

  • AQA English Literature A

 

Curriculum Overviews

Address

Sir Graham Balfour School
North Avenue
Stafford
ST16 1NR

For Sat Nav directions:

ST16 1NJ

Phone

01785 223490

Email

office@sirgrahambalfour.staffs.sch.uk