English | Bourne Community College

Curriculum Intent

The intent of the English Department at Bourne Community College is to recognise every student as an individual; seeking to diagnose and meet reading, writing and oracy needs. Despite being dictated by National Curriculum and examinations, we adapt the curriculum to reflect our positivity and passion within every lesson. We believe that competent literacy skills, as well as creativity, individuality and determination, empower students to succeed.

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Aims

In English, our aim is to prepare our students for lifelong learning by developing and embedding the core skills for reading, writing and oracy while at the same time opening their eyes to the world around them.

We aim for all students to be immersed a wide range of literature from all genres, different cultures and heritages, and then using this knowledge to build on their understanding and perception of the human condition.

Learning Journey

Our learning journeys give a visual overview of the curriculum content covered in each subject. They will help you understand how students make progress in different topics over the years they are with us.

English Learning Journey

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

Throughout their journey in Key Stage Three, students are introduced to a range of English Language and English Literature using a thematic approach so as to allow students to enhance their skills. In Year 7, students cover ‘Narratives and Narration’, ‘Character’ and ‘Structure’. In Year 8, students study the topics of ‘The Truth’, ‘Journeys’ and ‘Judgement and Redemption’ and in Year 9 students study topics such as ‘Protest’ and ‘Blast from the Past’. The Summer term of Year 9 students are introduced to their first GCSE Literature texts – ‘Power and Conflict Poetry’ in preparation for their studies in Year 10.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview

All students study both English Language and English Literature at GCSE and we complete the AQA Specification for both.

AQA English Language GCSE

In English language lessons, students are introduced to wide variety of texts on a range of different topics. Lessons are centred around the individual and skills are taught and adapted to cater for all abilities. This individualised approach allows students and staff to work cohesively to ensure that all students are fully prepared for their GCSE examinations and beyond.

Paper 1 (50%): Explorations in creative reading and writing

Section A: Reading (literary fiction)
Section B: Writing (describe/narrate)
1 hr 45 min
80 Marks

Paper 2 (50%): Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives

Section A: Reading (One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text)
Section B: Writing (Writing to present a viewpoint)
1 hr 45 min
80 Marks

AQA English Literature GCSE

“GCSE English Literature is the study of how writers communicate their ideas about the world, and how readers might respond to these ideas. It aims to develop a critical understanding of the ways in which literary texts are a reflection and exploration of the human condition the study of which develops empathic understanding of human nature.”

At Bourne, we feel passionately about teaching our students about the real world and what it is to be human. This is why we teach texts that allow students to explore different attitudes and perspectives on issues which still arise in society today. Over the two-year course, some of the topics explored include: the issues of gender stereotyping during the Jacobean era; widespread poverty during the Victorian era and class discrimination during the 20^th century.

Paper 1 (40%): Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel

Section A: ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare
Section B: ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens
1 hr 45 min

Paper 2 (60%): Modern Texts and Poetry

Section A: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley
Section B: AQA Poetry Anthology: ‘Power and Conflict’ Cluster
Section C: Unseen Poetry
2 hrs 15 min

Key Words

We aim to support students in their literacy across all curriculum subjects. We provide key word lists as a teaching and learning tool to support student understanding of the technical vocabulary needed to articulate their learning about a particular subject.

Key Stage Three English Key Words

Key Stage Four English Key Words

Trips and Extra-Curricular Activities

Visiting drama companies performing Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 examination plays
Poetry conference
Carnegie Award
West Sussex Book Award
Visiting authors
Visiting storytellers
Celebration of National Book Week
Readathon
Writing competitions at a national level