English

KS4 Exam Board: AQA

At Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy, English is important because:

• It helps students understand what it means to be human and how this can be expressed, so they will understand the interconnectedness between humans and society
• It helps students to be able to identify and explore abstract concepts in literature and how this helps them understand the arts and their views of other cultures, different places, time and people.
• It helps students to be able to express themselves clearly, confidently and with enthusiasm in all studies.

Curriculum

In English, we deliver the curriculum through:

• Big concepts that underpin the human experience, such as power, conflict, identity, morality, ambition and social responsibility.
• Explicit teaching of writing, grammar and ambitious vocabulary, enabling students to communicate with precision, clarity and confidence.
• High-quality literary texts from a range of time periods, cultures and genres to broaden students' knowledge and cultural understanding.
• Explicit modelling of reading, analytical thinking and writing through guided practice and worked examples.
• Regular retrieval practice to strengthen long-term memory and secure knowledge of vocabulary, literary concepts and key texts.
• Oracy and discussion, encouraging students to articulate ideas, justify interpretations and engage critically with different viewpoints.
• Deliberate practice and responsive feedback, allowing students to refine their reading and writing over time.
• A knowledge-rich approach, where contextual understanding, literary terminology and disciplinary knowledge are taught explicitly and revisited regularly.

Curriculum Overview

GCSE Assessment

English Language paper 1 - 50%

English Language paper 2 - 50%

English Literature paper 1 - 40%

English Literature paper 2 - 60%

Speaking and listening

We know our curriculum is successful when students can:

• Write with precision, accuracy and purpose, using Standard English confidently and adapting their style for different audiences and contexts.
• Read fluently and critically, analysing challenging texts with confidence and drawing thoughtful, evidence-based interpretations.
• Listen attentively, think critically and communicate articulately, expressing ideas with clarity, confidence and respect for different perspectives.
• Discuss complex concepts and themes with maturity, using ambitious vocabulary and subject-specific terminology accurately.
• Apply their knowledge across the curriculum, demonstrating strong literacy skills that support success in all subjects.
• Appreciate literature as a means of understanding the human experience, making connections across texts, cultures, historical periods and contemporary society.
• Develop the confidence, curiosity and resilience to become independent readers, writers and thinkers who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.