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English
Curriculum Intent
At Boswells, our Key Stage 3 English curriculum inspires a lifelong love for learning through an engaging, inclusive, and richly diverse educational experience that purposefully prepares students for Key Stage 4 and beyond. We design our provision to spark curiosity, build resilience, and foster deep student engagement across all subject disciplines – including: the study of literature; exploring non-fiction texts; creative writing; oracy skills and analysis of media texts.
At Key Stage 4, this foundation develops into a rigorous programme aligned with AQA GCSE English Language and Literature. Students deepen their analytical reading through the study of Shakespeare, 19th-century prose, modern drama, and poetry, while refining precise, purposeful writing for varied audiences and forms. Teaching prioritises critical thinking, independence, and exam readiness, with students mastering assessment objectives, using sophisticated terminology and producing well-evidenced responses through regular practice and feedback.
By delivering a broad and balanced curriculum, we ensure that every learner - regardless of their starting point - discovers their strengths, builds a solid foundation for future academic success, and achieves their full potential.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 |
Half Term 2 |
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Knowledge |
Traditional Tales – Chaucer, Beowulf, Fairytales – reading skills and building contextual knowledge
Autobiography – Introduction to autobiographies
Poetry – Introduction to poetry analysis |
Traditional Tales – Chaucer, Beowulf, Fairytales – Recreating traditional tales through linguistic and structural variations.
Autobiography – writing skills
Poetry – Writing a poetry analysis |
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How we assess |
Baseline - reading and writing assessments
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Recreations – re-writing Beowulf from a different perspective
Poetry – analysis of set poem |
Spring Term
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Half Term 3 |
Half Term 4 |
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Knowledge |
Shakespeare –The Tempest (top set) or Intro to Shakespeare (mixed ability) - exploring the language, form and structure of Shakespeare plays
Short Stories: Lamb to the Slaughter – reading skills including inference and analysis of language and structure
Short Stories: The Tell Tale Heart – close analysis of language and structural techniques
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Shakespeare –The Tempest (top set) or Intro to Shakespeare (mixed ability) - continuation of text/extract study Short Stories: Nightmare in Yellow – analysis of shorter from short stories
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How we assess |
Lamb to the Slaughter - Language Analysis |
Shakespeare - Scholarly project – Focus on contextual knowledge and presentation skills
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5 |
Half Term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Novel – In the Sea there are Crocodiles (Top Sets); Once (Mixed Ability); Phoenix Brothers (Nurture) – establishing plot, character, setting
Transactional Writing and Speeches – Introduction to transactional writing – reading skills
Film: Life of Pi -Introduction to film and genre
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Novel – In the Sea there are Crocodiles (Top Sets); Once (Mixed Ability); Phoenix Brothers (Nurture) – whole text analysis
Transactional Writing and Speeches – analysis of spoken language and delivering speeches
Film: Life of Pi – narrative and film analysis
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How we assess |
Transactional Writing and Speeches – informal class presentations
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Novel – extract analysis |
Year 8 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 |
Half Term 2 |
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Knowledge |
WW1 poetry - Who’s for the Game; Dulce Et Decorum Est; Disabled; Suicide in the Trenches
Novel - Lord of the Flies – Introduction to themes and setting
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WW1 poetry - Non-fiction analysis (e.g. letters; posters); descriptive and viewpoint writing
Novel - Lord of the Flies – exploration of character and literary devices
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How we assess |
WW1 poetry – Poetry analysis |
Novel – Analysis of character starting with an extract |
Spring Term
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Half Term 3 |
Half Term 4 |
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Knowledge |
Oliver Twist – Introduction to Victorian London and conventions of a play
Sherlock Holmes short stories The Speckled Band, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Copper Beeches - Introduction to Sherlock Holmes and detective genre
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Oliver Twist – Exploration of dramatic conventions and character focus
Sherlock Holmes short stories The Speckled Band, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Copper Beeches - Analysis of language and structure to represent women
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How we assess |
Oliver Twist - Scholarly project – Focus on contextual knowledge and presentation skills
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Sherlock Holmes short stories – Analysis of female characters in The Speckled Band |
Summer Term
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Half Term 5 |
Half Term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Introduction to Rhetoric – 7 Weeks Persuasive writing skills
Dystopia – extract and film analysis |
Dragon’s Den – rhetoric in practice – 7 weeks Spoken language presentation
Dystopia - Narrative and creative writing |
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How we assess |
Introduction to Rhetoric – Persuasive writing |
Dystopia - Narrative and creative writing – Descriptive Writing |
Year 9 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 |
Half Term 2 |
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Knowledge |
Woman in Black: Literature Skills and Integrate descriptive writing from an image
Transactional Writing: Food Reading comprehension and language analysis. Viewpoint Writing
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Woman in Black: full textual analysis
Women in Literature and Gender Representation Film (James Bond) – Analysis of extracts from literature texts and film |
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How we assess |
Transactional Writing: Food – Persuasive writing
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Woman in Black: Literature analysis |
Spring Term
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Half Term 3 |
Half Term 4 |
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Knowledge |
Creative Writing Narrative and Descriptive focus
Romeo and Juliet Focus on story, characters and context
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Creative Writing Narrative and Descriptive focus
Romeo and Juliet Analysis of characters and dramatic conventions
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How we assess |
Creative Writing – Description/narrative based on an image |
Romeo and Juliet - Scholarly project – Focus on contextual knowledge and presentation skills
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5 |
Half Term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Poetry – Conflict Literature Paper 2 7 poems: (Charge of the Light Brigade, Bayonet Charge, Exposure)
Reading Skills Revision of reading comprehension and language analysis.
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Poetry – Conflict Literature Paper 2 7 poems: (War Photographer, Remains, Poppies, Kamikaze)
Reading Skills Revision of reading comprehension and language analysis.
Victorian Context Develop contextual knowledge in preparation for A Christmas Carol study in Year 10
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How we assess |
Poetry – Conflict Literature Paper 2 - Analysis of set poem
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Reading Skills – Exam style questions |
Key Stage 3 useful resources
- BBC Bitesize KS3 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z4kw2hv
- Oak National Academy - https://www.thenational.academy/
- Seneca Learning - https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
- CGP KS3 English Complete Revision and Practice - https://www.ryman.co.uk/cgp-ks3-english-complete-revision-and-practice-1?
Key Stage 4
Year 10 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 |
Half Term 2 |
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Knowledge |
English Language Paper 1 Question 5 – Creative Writing
English Language Paper 2 Question 5 – Viewpoint Writing
A Christmas Carol – Introduction to text focus on plot, theme and character.
An Inspector Calls – Introduction to text focus on plot, theme and character.
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A Christmas Carol continued – focus on plot, theme and character.
An Inspector Calls continued – focus on plot theme and character. |
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How we assess |
Creative writing question 5 assessment. Viewpoint writing question 5 assessment. |
A Christmas Carol assessment on early part of text.
An Inspector Calls assessment on early part of play. |
Spring Term
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Half Term 3 |
Half Term 4 |
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Knowledge |
Power and Conflict Poetry: Ozymandias, The Prelude, Storm on the Island and comparing poems
Macbeth – Revision of plot and character. Focus on themes. |
English Language Paper 1 Reading Questions 1-4
English Language Paper 2 Reading Questions 1-4 |
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How we assess |
Power & Conflict comparison– walking talking assessment
Macbeth – walking talking assessment |
Preparation for Mock Exam Summer 1 |
Summer Term
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Half Term 5 |
Half Term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Power and Conflict : My Last Duchess and London
Macbeth Revision: Plot, character and focus |
Power & Conflict Revision: Anthologies up to date and knowledge organisers for each poem.
Macbeth Revision: Character, plot and themes. |
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How we assess |
Mock Exam: Full English Language paper 1
Mock exam: Full English Language paper 2 |
Spoken Language Component in class assessments |
Year 11 Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term
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Half Term 1 |
Half Term 2 |
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Knowledge |
Revision of Literature texts in preparation for English Literature Mocks: A Christmas Carol Macbeth An Inspector Calls Power & Conflict poetry
Unseen poetry Unit |
English Language Paper 1 Q 1-4
English language Paper 2 Q1-4
Revision of Literature texts |
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How we assess |
Full English Literature mock exams: Paper 1 & paper 2 |
In class formative assessment of English Language Q1-4 |
Spring Term
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Half Term 3 |
Half Term 4 |
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Knowledge |
English Language Paper 1 Creative writing
English Paper 2 Viewpoint writing
Revision of reading section in preparation for mock exams |
Power & Conflict poetry: Checking Out My History The Emigree Tissue
Revision of Literature texts |
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How we assess |
Mock exams – Language Papers 1 & 2 Full papers |
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Summer Term
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Half Term 5 |
Half Term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Revision of Literature texts
Revision of Language questions |
Formal exams begin – students on study leave |
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How we assess |
Formal GCSE exams |
Formal GCSE exams |
Key Stage 4 useful resources:
Literature:
- Study Rocket https://studyrocket.co.uk/revision/gcse-english-literature-aqa
- BBC Bitesize https://www.youtube.com/@BBCBitesizeGCSE/videos
- PMT AQA GCSE (9-1) English Revision - PMT
- Seneca Learning https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth
- Mr Bruff https://www.youtube.com/mrbruff
Language:
- Study Rocket https://studyrocket.co.uk/revision/gcse-english-language-aqa
- Seneca Learning https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa
- PMT https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/english-revision/gcse-aqa/
- BBC Bitesize GCSE English Language - BBC Bitesize
- Mr Bruff Mr Bruff - YouTube
Enrichment Opportunities
Clubs – Poetry Club, Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge
Trips – Visiting theatre production