English Curriculum Overview
Knowledge lies at the centre of our English curriculum. At Forge Valley, we believe that English is the foundation upon which all other learning is built. It plays a vital role in expanding the life chances of our pupils, empowering them with the ability to understand, interpret and question the world around them. Through English, pupils learn to communicate with clarity, challenge ideas with confidence and express themselves with purpose.
Our curriculum ensures that every pupil encounters a rich and diverse range of texts—the best that has been thought, said and written. From voices of the past to contemporary writers shaping our present, pupils are encouraged to step into the experiences of others, develop empathy and reflect on their own identity. This journey supports not only academic progress but also personal growth, enabling pupils to broaden their cultural capital and deepen their understanding of the human experience.
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Mastery Learning
All pupils have been given an English mastery booklet covering the work they have studied in class so far this half-term. The purpose of this is to allow pupils the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge at home. Pupils are expected to do as much as they can from the booklet.
All pupils will have an end of unit quiz in the final week of half-term which will be based on the contents of the mastery booklet. We wish to emphasise that this is a low-stakes quiz. We will use the information as a diagnostic tool to inform teachers of any knowledge gaps which may need to be addressed.
Mastery Booklets Unit 1-5
In KS4, pupils will take AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature and gain two qualifications.
English Language builds on reading and writing skills from KS3. The GCSE allows pupils to explore language in different contexts and also requires them to write creatively for different audiences. Pupils need to show a range of reading skills such as comprehension, summary, analysis and evaluation. This GCSE is assessed by two examinations.
English Literature builds on the love of reading novels, plays and poetry studied in KS3. The GCSE develops pupils’ ability to read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas. For English Literature pupils will study a range of texts, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, DNA by Dennis Kelly, The Sign of Four by Arthur Conon Doyle and poetry from the ‘Love and Relationship’ collection, both past and present. This GCSE is assessed by two examinations.
Resources
Explore helpful resources, homework tasks, step-by-step tutorials, and detailed guides to support your learning at KS3 & KS4.
