English at Key Stage 3 – Years 7, 8 and 9 – works on the foundation of four major skill areas: reading, writing, grammar and oral work. In year 9, we move towards GCSE-level study skills, without specifically teaching the content.

The aim is to structure the course progressively whilst at the same time providing sufficient opportunity for creative and imaginative exploration of language.

Year 7 - Autumn Term

• Creative Writing: the opening of a Christmas novel
• The 20th-century novel
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 7 - Spring Term

• In Search of Adventure: Prose Comprehension
• Identity Kit: Poetry Skills
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 7 - Summer Term

• Shakespeare: Context and study of a play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Exam Preparation/Paper/ Review: Non-fiction
• Preparation for Summer Reading Challenge
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 8 - Autumn Term

• Gothic Mystery Stories
• Campaigning for a Cause: Writing to Persuade
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 8 - Spring Term

• Appearance and Reality: Prose Analysis
• Words of War: Unseen Poetry Analysis
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Study of an author’s work
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 8 - Summer Term

• Shakespeare: Study of a play: Much Ado about Nothing
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Exam Preparation/Paper/ Review: Fiction
• Preparation for Summer Reading Challenge
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 9 - Autumn Term

• Reading comprehension: prose fiction
• Study of a Modern play
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 9 - Spring Term

• Exploring Perspectives: Understanding a non-fiction Writer’s Purpose
• Shakespeare: Literature Essay Skills: Romeo and Juliet
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Daily guided class reading of fiction

Year 9 - Summer Term

• Relationships and contexts: Anthology Poetry
• Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar
• Exam Preparation/ Paper/Review: Unseen Poetry
• Preparation for Summer Reading Challenge