Opportunity + Success = Pride Confidence
English Intent
We sequence our learning in the order that we do because we build on prior knowledge and understanding, interleaving previous learning into current content to enable students to retain information in their long-term memory. Whilst we move forward with challenge, content and delivery in our lessons, we enjoy reflecting on lessons of the past, knowing exactly the exciting journey on which our students have been. The teaching of tier two and tier three vocabulary is deliberately embedded into our lessons so time can be dedicated to the explicit defining of such vocabulary.
Progression considers students’ starting points at Key Stage 2 by delivering schemes of learning which teach challenging and high-quality concepts through the familiar and fun. Our lessons are designed to allow students to develop their opinions, to be confident to share their ideas and have opportunities to develop and perfect their creative and transactional writing. We build on our students’ knowledge of history and different cultures to help improve their confidence with accessing texts from around the world and enabling students to make links between texts, fostering their understanding of others’ lives.
We expose our students to a wide range of canonical texts and enjoy giving them the opportunities to improve their oracy skills by sharing ideas and opinions. Students learn and make use of a wide vocabulary in speech and writing to express nuances of understanding.
Students progress in English in different ways and by the end of Key Stage 4, they often have a preference for English Language or English Literature. Most pupils have the opportunity to achieve or exceed their potential in both of these highly respected subjects, but some are given another opportunity to succeed in English Functional Skills. We understand that not all students want to study English at A-Level or Degree level; but providing all our students with the essential skills and experiences they require for their next steps, is our priority. .