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Overview:

  • Our aim is to build skills throughout KS3 and 4 by constantly revisiting them
  • Students at KS3 sit a reading and writing assessment every half term (this mirrors the two main skills at GCSE for language and literature). Both reading and writing span a vast range of subjects e.g. non-fiction and fiction or literature and language analysis skills
  • One aim going forward is to drive literature results by putting a key focus on characterisation in all literature units and introducing a new novel and play study at the end of year 9

Areas for improvement:

  • Literature results are usually above national average, but lower than our language results
  • We believe we can bridge this gap in year 9 by preparing students for year 10 with two new texts
  • Of Mice and Men will be used as our novel study to get students to explore how social issues are presented in texts (linking to poetry, An Inspector Calls and A Christmas Carol/Jekyll and Hyde)
  • A View from the Bridge develops ideas about characterisation, tragic heroes and downfalls (linking to Macbeth, Jekyll and Hyde and An Inspector Calls)
  • Every KS3 year also studies a poetry unit to improve seen and unseen poetry results Aims:
  • Our aim going forward is to continue developing our cohort specific planning so we are able to meet the needs of each group of students

2026/27 English Overview

Year 7- 11 English 2026/27 Overview​

2026-2027

Autumn 1 (Sep-Oct)

Autumn 2

(Nov-Dec)

Spring 1

(Jan-Feb)

Spring 2

(Mar-Apr)

Summer 1

(May-June)

Summer 2

(June-July)

Year 7

 

 

Dracula Play

 

GCSE Component: English Literature 19th Century Novel Study -AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6

Romeo and Juliet

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Shakespeare - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Travel Writing and Girl of Ink and Stars

 

Literature: AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

GCSE Component: English Language Paper 2 Section B: AO5 & AO6.

Travel Writing and Girl of Ink and Stars

 

Literature: AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

GCSE Component: English Language Paper 2 Section B: AO5 & AO6.

 

Creative Writing

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 & AO6.

 

Voices of the Great War

Non-fiction & Poetry

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Poetry - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Year 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short Stories Anthology Moon on the Tides

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

Much Ado About Nothing

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Shakespeare - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Animal Farm

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Novel Study - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Writing to Influence

 

Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

Introduction to Gothic Literature: ‘A Christmas Carol’

 

GCSE Component: English Literature 19th Century Novel Study -AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

 

Frankenstein Play

 

Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

 

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Year 9

 

Journey's End

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Poetry - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

 

Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Shakespeare - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Media & Non-Fiction Study

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Work: Perspectives & Poetry

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Poetry - AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Work:

Of Mice and Men

 

Literature: AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Work:

A View From The Bridge Play

 

Literature: AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4.

 

Language: AO5 & AO6.

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure.

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Year 10

An Inspector Calls

 

GCSE Component: English Literature - AO1, AO2 & AO3.

 

Scheme of Work:  Power and Conflict Poetry & Unseen Poetry

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Poetry - AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work:

Language Paper 2

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Work:

A Christmas Carol

 

GCSE Component: English Literature Novel Study - AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work:

Language and Literature Carousel Lessons

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work: Language Paper 1 and An Inspector Calls

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Year 11

Scheme of Work: Macbeth

 

GCSE Component: English Literature - AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work: Language Paper 2 and Literature Paper 2

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work:

Language Paper 1 and Literature Paper 1

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work: Language and Literature Carousel

Lessons

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

Scheme of Work: Language and Literature Carousel Lessons

 

GCSE Component: English Language - AO1, AO2, AO3, AO5 & AO6.

 

English Literature: AO1, AO2 & AO3.

  

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

Scheme of Assessment: Reading Assessment – Analysing language & structure (AO1, AO2, AO3).

 

Writing Assessment – AO5 & AO6.

 

KS3

Curriculum Overview

Pupils follow the programme and study below. The order may be varied for different cohorts.

 

In KS3 learners are offered a broad and balanced curriculum which encompasses a wide range of learning experiences, social, moral, spiritual and cultural issues, with a foundation based on spelling, punctuation and grammar.  Students will study works by historical and contemporary writers as part of their programmes of study.

At KS3, students develop a range of skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening; this is achieved through engaging with challenging texts, tasks and ideas. Students are taught in sets to ensure that students’ learning is as challenging and personalised as possible. Students are regularly assessed and monitored so that we can celebrate exceptional achievement and ensure that we support them in their areas of difficulty. Lessons are planned to be challenging and engaging, encouraging students to become increasingly confident and reflective learners. A focus on improving skills across the key stage ensures clear progression between units and prepares pupils for the necessary skills required at GCSE and beyond.

Year

Focus

Autumn 1 (Sep-Oct)

Autumn 2

(Nov-Dec)

Spring 1

(Jan-Feb)

Spring 2

(Mar-Apr)

Summer 1

(May-June)

Summer 2

(June-July)

7

Texts focus on the theme of ‘growing up and maturing’.

Dracula Play

Romeo and Juliet

Travel Writing and Girl of Ink and Stars

Travel Writing and Girl of Ink and Stars

Creative Writing

Voices of the Great War

8

Texts focus on the theme of ‘big ideas’ e.g. political writing or responsibility.

Short Stories Anthology: Moon on the Tides

Much Ado About Nothing

Animal Farm

Writing to Influence

 

Introduction to Gothic Literature: ‘A Christmas Carol’

Frankenstein Play

 

 

9

Texts focus on ‘different perspectives’ and how we explore these.

Journey's End

 

 

Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains

 

Media

 

Perspectives & Poetry

 

Of Mice and Men

 

A View From The Bridge Play

 

All KS3 classes have a reading lesson once a week where pupils have the opportunity to read and discuss a set text with their class. These lessons encourage pupils to develop their voices as active readers, their inference skills and their ability to respond critically to a text.  These skills are essential at both KS3, KS4 and beyond. The department also enjoys excellent collaboration with the school’s library, which is stocked with books to cater for students with a range of interests

 

KS4

Assessment components

The English Language GCSE encourages students to read a range of high-quality, challenging literature and non-fiction texts from a range of genres and types, including texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

There is an emphasis on making sure that students are able to write clearly and accurately, in clear Standard English. To ensure that this is achieved there is an increased emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as on the appropriate use of a range of increasingly sophisticated vocabulary and writing techniques.

The English Literature GCSE encourages students to read a wide range of classic literature fluently and will include assessment of:

Year

Focus

Autumn 1 (Sep-Oct)

Autumn 2

(Nov-Dec)

Spring 1

(Jan-Feb)

Spring 2

(Mar-Apr)

Summer 1

(May-June)

Summer 2

(June-July)

10

GCSE Year One

An Inspector Calls

Power and Conflict Poetry & Unseen Poetry

Language Paper 2

A Christmas Carol

Language and Literature Carousel Lessons

Language Paper 1 and An Inspector Calls

11

GCSE Year Two

Macbeth

Language Paper 2 and Literature Paper 2

Language Paper 1 and Literature Paper 1

 

Language and Literature Carousel Lessons

Language and Literature Carousel Lessons

 

 

  

Future Careers

English lends itself to a wide range of careers.  Some examples include careers as a/an: Teacher, Lawyer, Curator, Digital Copywriter, Editorial assistant, English as a foreign language teacher, Lexicographer, Magazine or Newspaper journalist, Publishing copy-editor/proof-reader, Web content manager, Writer.

Extra Curricular / Clubs

The English Department coordinates the Gaynes School Gazette, our school newspaper. We offer students the chance to fill different journalistic roles and ask them to explore key issues.

Curriculum-linked visits are also led by the Department, with trips to theatres, museums, workshops and other locations of literary significance planned (including our annual Belgium trip).

Useful Links

English language:

  • Read a range of fiction. This will increase imaginative, descriptive and narrative writing skills.
  • Read a range of non-fiction texts (free online broadsheet newspapers, magazines, internet articles, newsletters, reviews, reports, letters (formal and informal), leaflets and apps, (e.g. The Guardian) to ensure you are familiar with a range of writing styles and expand your vocabulary.
  • You should complete two hours of homework for English each week; you can always correct and redraft work independently to make sure students are improving constantly. Reading through and discussing homework is very useful.
  • Learn new vocabulary and check spellings using a dictionary and a thesaurus.
  • Try to use formal spoken language or Standard English when speaking to teachers or other members of staff.
  • You can use guides (available in the library) which include activities to improve punctuation, paragraphing and sentence variation.
  • Use Google Classroom to access relevant resources and information on units students are studying.
  • Parents can also check the website for updates and information on trips and competitions.
  • Resource/text books are available on Amazon to support your learning at GCSE. Look for guides relating to AQA English Language 9-1.

English Literature:

  • Try to read any set novels or plays at least twice in your own time.
  • Watch different versions of the texts you have studied.
  • Read a range of poetry-head to the library for inspiration.
  • Push your reading beyond set texts and develop opinions about writers’ stylistic choices, e.g. how they structure novels, plays and poetry.
  • Check your homework diary on a regular basis to ensure you’re not missing anything.
  • Use the internet to revise characters, themes, quotes and relevant context.
  • Revision guides are available in the library or bookshops.
  • Students can and should independently create revision guides to memorise key quotes using cue cards, sugar paper, post-its, etc.
  • Use Google Classroom to access relevant resources and information on Literature units students are studying.

Useful Websites for GCSE: