A word after a word after a word is power.

Margaret Atwood

At Caister Academy, we have high expectations of all students of English in regards to their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The English curriculum is designed to promote excellent student progress, building upon skills learned each year, as well as offering challenge and engaging students into become lifelong lovers of English.

Key Stage Three

At Key Stage Three, students study a range of engaging texts and topics to prepare them to be successful at Key Stage 4. A wide variety of literature texts are taught including Shakespeare plays such as Richard III, 19^th Century literature such as Oliver Twist and literature from other cultures: Of Mice and Men. A range of poetry texts and different genres including Gothic Literature is also studied by students at Key Stage Three, ensuring they have a broad understanding of both historical and contemporary literature in a range of formats. Students, also, learn and develop their creative and transactional writing skills through fiction and non-fiction writing topics such as Dystopia and The Language of Protest.

Students are supported and encouraged to develop a love of reading through timetabled library lessons in their English curriculum. Students are guided through engaging reading activities based around different texts to give students exploration of a range of genres. In these lessons, there is a focus on improving student engagement with reading and developing vocabulary skills, enhancing their language acquisition and application – whatever they choose to read. Students are also able to borrow books from the library and are supported to find books they will love and enjoy reading.

Key Stage Four

Students study the AQA GCSEs in English Language and Literature at Key Stage Four. The course provides opportunities for studying a range of both modern and pre-1914 literature, including plays, novels and poetry. Students develop a clear understanding of plot, theme and character; exploring the writer’s use of language and structure, while also considering the impact of historical context. Students also build upon their reading and writing skills taught at Key Stage Three and become successful writers in both fiction and non-fiction formats.

Enrichment

The English Department believe that providing opportunities to learn in out-of-classroom contexts enhances students’ understanding and engagement in English, as well as developing the aspirations of students. Students will be able to take part in a variety of different English extra-curricular activities such as BBC Young Reporters, writing competitions, UEA Festival of Literature for Young People and The Globe Theatre visits. Students will also take part in inspiring author workshops in schools and visits to local theatres to see productions of texts they are studying.