English & Media Studies

English

INTENT

English is a subject that lies at the heart of successful communication and interaction with the world around us. We are committed to ensuring that all students achieve their very best and that they are treated with equality, dignity and respect, as they develop confidence in – and enthusiasm for – all aspects of literacy.

Our intent is that every learner is able to

  • read easily, fluently and with good understanding
  • develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
  • acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
  • appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
  • write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
  • use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
  • be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate
  • develop cultural capital by being able to read and understand texts from throughout literary history.

Key Stage 3

The skills developed in English include:

Reading to select and retrieve information, to develop understanding of plot and character, to understand language and its effects, to understand structural devices, to understand how to infer and deduce and to understand writer’s ideas and perspectives.

Writing for specific purposes and audiences including to inform, explain and describe and to present a viewpoint or argument.  Writing using appropriate communication and organisation, including appropriate spelling, punctuation, sentence structures, paragraphs, grammatical features and vocabulary.

Spoken Language skills will be used to communicate effectively in a range of formal and informal situations, including presentations, discussions and role play activities.  Students will use appropriate vocabulary and Standard English in all Spoken Language work.

Year 7

KS3 English Language Reading Year 7 HT 1

KS3 English Language Writing Year 7 HT 2

KS3 English Literature Shakespeare Reading Year 7 HT 3

KS3 English Language Writing Year 7 HT 4

KS3 English Intent Language Reading Year 7 HT 5

KS3 English Intent Literature Poetry Year 7 HT 6

Year 8

KS3 English Intent Language Reading Year 8 HT 1

KS3 English Intent Language Writing Year 8 HT 2

KS3 English Intent Literature Shakespeare Reading Year 8 HT 3

KS3 English Intent Language Reading Year 8 HT 4

KS3 English Intent Language Writing Year 8 HT 5

KS3 English Intent Literature Poetry Year 8 HT 6

Key Stage 4

The skills developed in English at KS4 include:

Reading to understand and respond to texts, to develop a personal response, to select and retrieve information, to develop understanding of plot and character, to understand language and its effects, to understand structural devices, to understand how to infer and deduce, to understand the contexts of writing and to understand writer’s ideas and perspectives.

Writing for specific purposes and audiences including to describe, to narrate, to present a viewpoint and to present personal responses.  Writing using appropriate communication and organisation, including appropriate spelling, punctuation, sentence structures, paragraphs, grammatical features and vocabulary.

Spoken Language skills will be used to communicate effectively in a range of formal and informal situations, and students will use appropriate vocabulary and Standard English.

Year 9

Y9 Intent Term 1.1 Lit P1 R&J

Y9 Intent Term 1.2 Lang P2 Writing

Y9 Intent Term 2.1 Lit P2 AIC

Y9 Intent Term 2.2 Lang P1 Reading

Y9 Intent Term 3.1 Lang P1 Writing

Y9 Intent Term 3.2 Lit P2 Poetry

Year 10

Y10 Intent Term 1.1 Lit P1 J&H

Y10 Intent Term 1.2 Lang P2 Reading

Y10 Intent Term 2.1 Lang P1&2 Writing

Y10 Intent Term 2.2 Lit P2 AIC

Y10 Intent Term 3.1 Lit P1 R&J

Y10 Intent Term 3.2 Lang P1 Reading

Y10 Intent Term 3.2 Lit P2 Poetry

 

Y11 Intent Term 1.1 Lit P2 AIC

Y11 Intent Term 1.1 Lit P2 Poetry

Y11 Intent Term 1.2 Lang P2 Reading

Y11 Intent Term 1.2 Lit P1 R&J

Y11 Intent Term 2.1 Lang P1 Reading

Y11 Intent Term 2.1 Lit P1 J&H

Y11 Intent Term 2.2 Lang P1 Writing

Y11 Intent Term 2.2 Lang P2 Writing

Y11 Intent Term 3.1 Lang P1

Y11 Intent Term 3.1 Lang P2

Y11 Intent Term 3.1 Lit P1

Y11 Intent Term 3.1 Lit P2

IMPLEMENTATION

Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4

KS3 & KS4 English Y7-11 Curriculum Map

The areas studied in English in Year 7 include:

Y7 Timeline of Units

The areas studied in English in Year 8 include:

Y8 Timeline of Units

The areas studied in English at KS4 include:

KS4 Yearly Overview 2021-2022

Key Stage 5

INTENT

English is a subject that lies at the heart of successful communication and interaction with the world around us. We are committed to ensuring that all students achieve their very best and that they are treated with equality, dignity and respect, as they develop confidence in – and enthusiasm for – all aspects of literacy.

Our intent is that every learner is able to

  • read easily, fluently and with good understanding
  • develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
  • acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
  • appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
  • write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
  • use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
  • be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate
  • develop cultural capital by being able to read and understand texts from throughout literary histor

YEAR 12 AND 13 ENGLISH LANGUAGE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE Y12 TERM 1

English Language Y12 Term 2

English Language Y12 Term 3

English Language Y13 Term 1

English Language Y13 Term 2

English Language Y13 Term 3

YEAR 12 AND 13 ENGLISH LITERATURE

English Literature Y12 Term 1

English Literature Y12 Term 2

English Literature Y12 Term 3

English Literature Y13 Term 1

English Literature Y13 Term 2

English Literature Y13 Term 3

IMPLEMENTATION

There are three A Level qualifications offered in the English Department: English Language, English Literature and Media Studies.  All subjects are studied in Year 12 and Year 13.

KS5 English Language Curriculum Map

The areas studied include:                      

Subject content

KS5 English Lit Curriculum Map

The areas studied include:

Love through the ages:

  • Shakespeare, Prose and Poetry – study of a Shakespeare play, a novel and an anthology of poetry written pre1900
  • Wider study of the Literature of Love in preparation for unseen poetry in the exam

Texts in Shared contexts

  • Option: Literature of WW1 and its aftermath.
  • Study of three set texts: one poetry, one drama and one prose text, of which one must be written post 2000.
  • Study of wider literature and contexts of WW1 in preparation for an unseen prose extract in the exam.

NEA: Independent critical study -Texts Across Time

  • Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900.

IMPACT

We know from all those who internally, and externally, review the work of our school that our pupils/students are cheerful, creative, conscientious and confident.  Employers regularly tell us that our pupils/students are professional and act with honesty and integrity.  Our school has been very successful with numerous external accreditations, for the community and the individuals within it, over many decades.  Our staff and pupil/students very much feel part of our Mercy community.

Our English curriculum helps our students to develop the detailed knowledge and skills required to progress to the next stage of education, employment or training.  Our excellent teaching and learning programmes support our students to know, understand and remember more, enabling them to become confident and effective communicators. Pupils understand the course intent and implementation thanks to their course induction.    Regular oral and written feedback is provided to ensure that students are aware of their position on their learning journey, as well as understand what their own next steps might be. Staff in the English department support subject specific literacy and numeracy for all our students to help them succeed in their studies and they aim to holistically develop the gifts and talents of each individual within a caring, compassionate, charitable and challenging Christian environment.

We believe that our English curriculum develops students within the broadest sense of the word – embedding a range of highly transferable skills whilst also giving them a detailed knowledge of the impact and power of literature and writing through time. It contributes to their understanding of what it means to have a positive impact within family, friendship groups, school/college, university, the workplace and the wider community.  Our wide-ranging and broad-based curriculum offer, and varied extended curricular opportunities, within English provide an opportunity for everyone to engage with ideas from different times, cultures and traditions and develop into effective and empathetic communicators. This also helps to develop their cultural capital – supporting their personal development and learning across the curriculum.

We know that our students are reliable, responsible, resilient and radical individuals who are ready to use their talents positively wherever life may take them. Generations of students have chosen St. Anthony’s over the decades and centuries.  We are extremely proud of our alumni, many of whom are regular contributors to our school community as it continues to grow and develop.  Many families have fourth or fifth generation connection to our school and many staff have given decades of service, such is the impact of being part of this school community. We regularly have former students returning to us in order to train to be English teachers themselves.

Everyone in our community is aware of what it means to be an Antonian: to pursue excellence, to build community, to show concern for those who may be disadvantaged and to particularly support the education of women and girls. We have definitely had an impact within this “city by the sea”, and well beyond it, since we were founded in 1904.  We are confident that our distinctive ethos will continue to have a big impact as it is carried forward by future generations of Antonians.

KS5 Media Studies

INTENT

A Level Media Studies is a two year course where students will develop their knowledge of how media has developed through time and how it continues to develop at a rapid pace. They will also develop analytical skills, exploring how to ‘read’ and decode a piece of media.

As a contemporary subject, Media Studies offers students excellent opportunities to develop and shape their own perception of the media that surrounds them, and invites them to come up with original and supported judgements and conclusions about the products we consume every day. Additionally, students will also gain creative skills in creating their own media within the coursework component of the qualification.

Underpinning the entire course is an extensive ‘theoretical framework’ where, over the course of two years, students study 19 academic theorists/theories and learn how to apply these to a range of media texts. There are also 18 set media texts to study called ‘Close Study Products’ (CSPs). These fall under the nine media areas of: TV, film, magazine, newspaper, radio, advertising, video games, music video and online, social and participatory media. Students receive a booklet of these at the beginning of their studies, and these are updated on a yearly basis by the exam board to include relevant and up-to-date media products.

Examples of some set products are: studying the original 1938 ‘War of the Worlds’ radio broadcast in conjunction with BBC Radio One’s ‘Newsbeat’ programme; studying TV crime drama through an episode of British TV series ‘The Missing’ in conjunction with an episode of French TV series ‘Witnesses’; studying a recent YouTube advertisement for Maybelline mascara in conjunction with a print advertisement for men’s hair cream from the 1960s.

In applying the theoretical framework to media products, students will produce insightful, extended essay responses to these, as well as take part in exciting debates about the past, present and future of media products.

In the first year of the course students will study the underpinning theory of Media Studies, alongside beginning to study the CSPs. They will also be taught necessary academic skills to form insightful written essays. At the end of this year, students will be given their coursework booklet and be asked to choose a brief and begin research in order to create their own media.

In the second year of the course, students will study the remaining CSPs, complete their coursework and revise for formal examinations in the summer.

Media Y12 Term 1

Media Y12 Term 2

Media Y12 Term 3

Media Y13 Term 1

Media Y13 Term 2

Media Y13 Term 3

IMPLEMENTATION

KS5 Media Studies Curriculum Map

Areas Studied Include:

Paper 1 – Unseen sources and CSPs

Paper 2 – 1 unseen short question and 3 long form essay question on theoretical framework and CSPs

Coursework – Choose one media ‘brief’ to fulfil from an optional six published yearly by AQA. Each brief asks students to create two linked media products e.g. an online advertising campaign and three pages of a print magazine based on a social activism area of their choice, or a short YouTube trailer and three billboard posters to advertise and market a ‘coming of age’ film.

Four areas of theoretical framework:

  • Media language
  • Media representation
  • Media industries
  • Media audiences

Contexts of the media:

  • Social
  • Cultural
  • Political
  • Economic
  • Historical

Media Forms:

  • Television
  • Film – (N.B. films may only be studied in the context of media industries)
  • Radio
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Online, social and participatory media
  • Video games
  • Music videos

IMPACT

We know from all those who internally, and externally, review the work of our school that our pupils/students are cheerful, creative, conscientious and confident.  Employers regularly tell us that our pupils/students are professional and act with honesty and integrity.  Our school has been very successful with numerous external accreditations, for the community and the individuals within it, over many decades.  Our staff and pupil/students very much feel part of our Mercy community.

Our Media Studies curriculum helps our students to develop the detailed knowledge and skills required to progress to the next stage of education, employment or training.  Our excellent teaching and learning programmes support our students to know, understand and remember more, enabling them to become confident and effective communicators. Pupils understand the course intent and implementation thanks to their course induction.    Regular oral and written feedback is provided to ensure that students are aware of their position on their learning journey, as well as understand what their own next steps might be. Staff in the  department support subject specific literacy and numeracy for all our students to help them succeed in their studies and they aim to holistically develop the gifts and talents of each individual within a caring, compassionate, charitable and challenging Christian environment.

We believe that our Media Studies curriculum develops students within the broadest sense of the word – embedding a range of highly transferable skills whilst also giving them a detailed knowledge of the impact and power of literature and writing through time. It contributes to their understanding of what it means to have a positive impact within family, friendship groups, school/college, university, the workplace and the wider community.  Our wide-ranging and broad-based curriculum offer, and varied extended curricular opportunities and support within Media provide an opportunity for everyone to engage with ideas from different times, cultures and traditions and develop into effective and empathetic communicators. This also helps to develop their cultural capital – supporting their personal development and learning across the curriculum.

We know that our students are reliable, responsible, resilient and radical individuals who are ready to use their talents positively wherever life may take them. Generations of students have chosen St. Anthony’s over the decades and centuries.  We are extremely proud of our alumni, many of whom are regular contributors to our school community as it continues to grow and develop.  Many families have fourth or fifth generation connection to our school and many staff have given decades of service, such is the impact of being part of this school community. We regularly have former students returning to us in order to train to be teachers themselves.