The English Department aims to create a curriculum which encompasses a rich body of important knowledge that every child has the right to experience to its fullest. Our learners will be supported and facilitated in their journey to becoming independent, successful learners who are equipped with the reading, writing and speaking and listening skills to thrive in the world of work or further education.
Reading & Writing
With a broad and balanced curriculum, we challenge our students to discover new ways of learning and exploring English through a variety of texts and writing experiences. Across the Key Stage 3 curriculum, students are exposed to modern and classic literature, covering novels written by influential authors such as Michael Morpurgo and John Steinbeck. We also aim to expose pupils to quality non-fiction writing which gives pupils the opportunity to explore current world Issues and the art of rhetoric. Establishing key skills and knowledge at Key Stage 3, provides students with strong foundations to engage with GCSE examinations at Key Stage 4 and achieve the best possible outcomes. We currently offer Eduqas GCSE English Language and all pupils who start with us at the beginning of Year 10 are offered the study of AQA GCSE English Literature as an option.
Our experienced team has high expectations of all students and utilises every available opportunity, both in the classroom and around school, to develop literacy skills through the promotion of subject specific academic vocabulary, the development of comprehension skills, the use of retrieval practices, and modelling accurate formal language.
We also offer a bespoke Secondary phonics programme to KS3 pupils who join our school community but have not yet met expected reading levels at KS2 levels.
Oracy
Our curriculum has also been designed to employ speaking and listening opportunities in all schemes of work, used as a vehicle to develop language skills which will accelerate reading abilities and written communication. Pupils will enjoy discussion and debating tasks and creative drama activities. Oracy within the department also encourages all students to become confident readers who enjoy both reading for pleasure and analytically.
Cultural Capital
It is important that our students also see English beyond the classroom, therefore, we strive to deliver rich Cultural Capital experiences throughout a student’s time at Coal Clough Academy so that they will see the relevance of our subject in their lives. We participate in national events such as National Poetry Day and World Book Day, alongside organising our own bespoke events. An example of this is our very own restaurant experience where pupils act as restaurant reviewers after enjoying a three course meal prepared by our Food Technology students. The aim of these events is to give the English curriculum real life context.
Curriculum End Point Documentation 2023-2024
Please note more detailed Curriculum Overviews are available on request and, in depth, ‘live’ curriculum thinking documents are held in school by teachers and continually reviewed.
