​English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society; pupils, therefore, who do not learn to speak, read and write fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.

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The National Curriculum​

The overarching aim for English in the National Curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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

• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences

• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas 

• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

 

Department View

English at Sewell Park Academy is vital because we help students to explore the world of literature and help to give them a voice and the means to express themselves. Ultimately, literature is about exploring and understanding what it means to be human, developing our empathy and sense of our own place in the world. 

 

We aim to expose our students to a range of challenging texts that allow them to consider big questions and abstract concepts. Students explore voices and perspectives that they wouldn’t necessarily come across in their own lives. Our curriculum is built around our knowledge of our cohort and their needs, as well as the belief that all students deserve to be challenged and shown that literacy, oracy, reading and writing have a direct link to self-esteem and improved communication.

 

Curriculum Sequencing - overview

Our curriculum has been sequenced based on a number of factors: understanding our cohort’s prior knowledge and experience; identifying skills needed by the end of KS4; increasing the complexity and content of set texts; building in thematically-linked texts and writing to broaden students’ experience of a text.

 

Key Literacy

In order to support and develop literacy, core skills are built into schemes of learning and adapted as needed for the requirements of the students. Vocabulary is a focus for us as it allows our students to widen their understanding of literature and develops their expert voice and confidence. We use oracy in lessons to allow students to express themselves clearly and fluently.

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Habitus Curriculum

In English we feel that students should develop their understanding of the opportunities available to them in the future. English is a key skill to unlock many possible futures, some of which students do not always consider as English based. We want to offer insight into creative industries, media industries, the theatre and museum / historical research. 

 

In addition to this, we want to develop engagement in the curriculum by sharing interesting and varied Big Ideas both linked to the texts we study and some of the wider social issues raised in the different units we focus on. 

 

We use social routines to develop a respectful climate where students can engage and learn.