English
At Lutterworth College we are passionate about fostering a love of English, reading and the exploration of literature. Across 7 years we are able to develop this through the sequential building of knowledge using a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as giving students opportunities to use the skills and knowledge gained from this exploration in their own spoken and written language. Students will leave Lutterworth College having built cultural capital by engaging with inspiring authors, poets, playwrights and novelists. They will have a passion for the subject and will continue to read for pleasure into adult life, recognising the value of it for themselves and others. They will be active learners who seek to enquire about how language is used, how it has changed and continues to evolve. We work alongside our Church of England CHRIST values to enrich how our students experience English, preparing them for a life outside of education. Students will recognise how English is valuable in their future careers and how the core skills of reading, writing and spoken language can and will be used in the workplace and their life beyond the classroom. Students are able to demonstrate these values at various points across the three years in the following ways:
- Being Courageous in the way they empathise with and challenge the emotions, struggles and prejudices explored across literature
- Being Hard-working in the way they approach the succinct and apt choice of evidence to support their opinions
- Being Reflective in how their choices of vocabulary, sentences and punctuation control the readers
- Being Inspirational in the topics they choose to speak about in presentations
- Being Supportive in asking questions of each other when exploring and evaluating poetry, prose and non-fiction
- Being Tenacious in their exploration of the ‘big ideas’ suggested by the writers they are introduced to
Key Stage 3
During Key Stage 3 students will continue to build upon the foundation of the primary school curriculum and we will continue to embed the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, critical thinking and literacy. An understanding of the power of communication and what we can do with it in its various forms is nurtured as students are encouraged to read for pleasure and analysis. Students examine ‘big ideas’ about society, morality, relationships, prejudice, discrimination and representations through increasingly sophisticated and mature content. A thematic approach to texts across the Key Stage is used to explore: novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction. From year 7, students develop analytical thinking using the questions: ‘What is the writer communicating? How is the writer using language? Why might the writer have chosen to use language in this way? These questions facilitate the evaluation of a writer’s methods, allowing students to structure responses to texts in essay form. Alongside this, students continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of writing skills and explore how to craft writing to suit particular audiences and purposes, as well as enjoying opportunities to write their own poetry, narratives and non-fiction pieces.
Key Stage 3 Extra English Curriculum Map
Key Stage 3 English Creative Writing Marksheet
Key Stage 3 English What How Why Marksheet
Key Stage 3 English Viewpoint Writing Marksheet
Key Stage 4
All students study English Language and English Literature to GCSE, with some students having the additional opportunity to also prepare for a Functional Skills qualification, if this is suitable for their needs, as part of the extra English provision. Students build upon the knowledge and skills already gained to further sharpen and hone their understanding of the subject. Through carefully crafted tasks, students develop a deeper understanding of how writers use language, structure and form to shape their ideas across a range of texts including: A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet, Love and Relationships Poetry and An Inspector Calls. In the study of literature, independent analysis and evaluation of the ‘big ideas’ are built upon from the Key Stage 3 curriculum as students are encouraged to continue to be independent thinkers and ask questions about intentions, context and concepts. Methods, such as language and structure, and how readers respond to them and writers manipulate them, are revisited throughout the two years as understanding grows. Students are encouraged to recognise texts as conscious constructs and how then we as readers can respond to and be challenged by the ideas within them- particularly exploring the relevance in our own lives. Students will actively read and write fiction and non-fiction across the course using a plethora of stimulus, including: world issues, literature and photographs. Throughout, students are encouraged to reflect on how these skills will be part of both their adult and working lives.
GCSE English Year 10 Curriculum Map
GCSE English Year 11 Curriculum Map
Key Stage 4 Extra English Curriculum Map
Key Stage 5
At the college we are able to offer English to A level for English Language and English Literature. Students can specialise in the areas of the subject they excel in and thrive upon. As lovers of language, students initially immerse themselves in the intricacies of textual analysis and the exploration of the development of human communication. The sophistication of the communication possible between human beings is incredible. How are these skills developed? Do we have an intrinsic ability to speak and understand one another or is it our environment that shapes this ability? The course systematically builds the skills of evaluation, analysis and critical thinking. Students explore how language changes and evolves and examine the diverse factors that impact on an individual’s use of English on a daily basis. Students also examine the factors which have facilitated the creation of varieties of English at a global level. Students investigate their own ideas about language and produce original writing designed to target specific readers for particular purposes. The course poses questions about how language operates in society and challenges the perception that there is a single correct form of English.
In literature we expose students to debates surrounding the representations of race, gender and social class throughout literature and want learners to engage critically and reflectively with the themes and issues raised. We strive to build on the foundations from Key Stage 3 and GCSE whilst fostering greater independence and curiosity in our students. Students are encouraged to attempt to see both the separation between the text and the author as well as the connections. Do texts mirror the world in which we live or do they shape them? Do characters expose the flaws we have or create them? The course is structured to take students through some of the greatest works written in English and develops the skills of analysis, comprehension and criticism. These skills are built and revisited throughout the two years. Ultimately it is the critical voice of the students that we want to hear.
A Level English Literature Year 12 Curriculum Map
A Level English Language Year 12 Curriculum Map