English Department Intent

The English curriculum Armthorpe Academy aims to equip all students with an understanding of the importance of literature and provide literacy skills that will enable all to achieve, regardless of ability or background, as this will allow students to be successful in their future endeavours. Students will explore texts which will broaden and deepen their understanding of the wider world, and their place in it, through literature and non-fiction texts.

Aims

Underpinning all English study is the understanding and exploration of ideas, methods and context, from Year 7 to Year 11. The texts studied are springboards to key concepts, encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills whilst addressing gaps in cultural capital. We are keen to ensure that the curriculum aids progression, with students both gaining new knowledge and honing new skills each year. Assessment objectives are mapped across the year to implant, embed and consolidate knowledge and abilities.

Implementation

Through the texts students will:

• Challenge their perspectives
• Explore and appreciate diversity
• Delve into a variety of issues and themes that are relevant to their lives and appreciate where we have come from
•  Understand different genres and their place within the literary timeline.
• Use and understand ambitious vocabulary.

Subsequently, students will be able to engage with controversial issues with sensitivity and connect critically as writers. They will master skills that will produce confident and effective communicators - writers who can emphatically and critically respond to texts and readers who can appreciate the value of literature as a reflection of our world but also an inspiration for life and their future careers. Students will have high standards of themselves and be proud of the work that they complete. They will be curious and active learners so that they can apply their learning to different texts and make links between English and other subjects.