English
Key Stage 3 English Curriculum Intent
English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach students to speak and write fluently, so they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others, and, through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading students 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.
In English, our purpose is to deliver a challenging curriculum through high quality teaching and learning. All students at the end of Key Stage 3 will have developed and learnt a variety of skills to enable them to start the GCSE English Language and English Literature courses with confidence knowing they will be able to succeed. The curriculum is sequenced in such a way that students can use the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout Key Stage 3 to successfully work towards agreed end points. We also value the importance of oracy and how this builds key skills for the future with students being able to become confident speakers who can speak in a variety of situations with different people.
There are three key skills which are developed throughout Key Stage 3: reading, writing, and speaking and listening. All students at the end of Key Stage 3 will have developed character by ensuring they can do the following:
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read easily, fluently and with good understanding
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develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
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acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
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appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
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write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
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use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
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are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
In English, it is important that we raise aspirations and achievement allowing students to access the wider world when they leave. Our main aim is for all students to be confident, resilient and independent learners through homework which is structured whilst also allowing students to develop their own ideas, thoughts and opinions.
The overarching aim for English 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.
Key Stage 3 - English Overview
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