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Developing Pupils
Through English
The English curriculum has been carefully crafted to promote a safe, yet innovative environment for all our students. Our aim is to prepare our students to speak, read and write fluently whilst encouraging ambition, resilience and curiosity.
We value speaking and listening and provide a space for students to express their views find their voice.
Through reading a range of carefully considered texts across the English cannon, we believe we can enhance the local community and enrich the lives of our students.
At Ruskin, students are given a wealth of opportunities to write creatively; through making links to the real world, students understand that their words can influence others and have the power to change.
Our curriculum is designed to underpin our school values of:
Teachers have high expectations of pupils; pupils rise to this challenge.
Respect
We are fortunate to be a part of a diverse school community and our curriculum is designed to develop empathy and celebrate diversity.
The texts we study have been carefully selected to spark cultural appreciation and discussion around current affairs, promoting respect and tolerance.
Students’ writing is linked to the real world through speeches, letter writing, published anthologies and journalism to empower our young people to see what they write can change the world.
High Aspirations
By encouraging our students to respond to poems, plays, novels and non-fiction writing, we build their resilience, help them discover their voices and allow their personal opinions to develop and grow.
In English lessons, we benefit from open discussion, allowing all to discover their passions and individual potential.
We prepare our students to be fluent and confident communicators, enabling them to embark on careers that are stimulating and aspirational.
Confidence
Our intentionally sequenced curriculum facilitates students to retain deep knowledge and understanding, thus enhancing students’ confidence in their own abilities.
Our curriculum provides support, through all subject areas, to develop our students into confident communicators and readers.
Through our curriculum, students are encouraged to be inquisitive, confident learners who value and are actively involved in their education and development.
Mrs Rankin
Curriculum Leader
Miss Webb
Assistant Curriculum Leader
Miss Allcock
Literacy Lead
Miss Anderson
Teacher
Miss Bramley
Reading Intervention Teaching Assistant
Miss Farrington
Teacher
Mr Kavanagh
Librarian
Miss Lucas
Teacher
Mrs Robson
Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Simmons
Teacher (maternity leave)
Mrs Walklate
Teacher
To find out what knowledge your child will learn in English click here
Our English 5 Year Curriculum Journey
Begin your new journey from Primary School with us
Year
7
Our Transition Unit – The Legend of the Minotaur
PSHCE
The Modern Novel – ‘Refugee’ by Alan Gratz
PSHCE
The Poetic Form, & Nature & The Romantics
PSHCE
Shakespearean Drama – ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
PSHCE & Careers
19th Century Crime
Shakespearean Drama – ‘Romeo & Juliet’
PSHCE
Short Story Writing – Adventure Fiction
Conflict Poetry
PSHCE
‘Frankenstein’: A Play
Careers
Year
8
The Art of
Rhetoric
PSHCE & Careers
The Modern Novel –‘Ghost Boys’ by Jewel Parker Rhodes
PSHCE
Journalism
PSHCE
Year
9
Modern Drama – ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell
PSHCE
Writing for Change – Important Voices
PSHCE & Careers
Gothic Literature
Exploring Shakespeare’s Villains
PSHCE
Exploring Short Stories – Reading and Creating
Careers
Shakespearean Text – ‘Macbeth’ (AQA)
PSHCE
Power and Conflict Poetry (AQA)
PSHCE
19th Century Text – ‘A Christmas Carol’ (AQA)
PSHCE
Modern Text – ‘An Inspector Calls’ (AQA)
PSHCE
Year
10
Powerful Poetic Voices – Exploring Culture
PSHCE
Unseen Poetry (AQA)
PSHCE
Writing Speeches and Spoken Language (EDUQAS)
PSHCE & Careers
Year
11
20th Century Fiction Reading
PSHCE
Creative Prose Writing
Transactional Persuasive Writing
PSHCE & Careers
19th & 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading
Final Outcome
GCSE English Language (EDUQAS)
GCSE English Literature (AQA)
Entry Level English (EDUQAS) for selected students
Revision & Exam Preparation