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View our curriculum
Assessment and reporting
The Furness Academy English curriculum for each year group is detailed below.
Term 1
Crime and Punishment
Language: Reading and Writing Non-Fiction
Students will read a selection of non-fiction texts linked to the theme of crime and punishment, paying special attention to key format features. They will discuss and analyse how writers use a range of methods to convince audiences of their credibility. Students will then practise establishing their own credibility as writers of persuasive arguments linked to the term’s set text for Literature, Sawbones, and the unit theme. They will develop their oracy skills by delivering an extended presentation.
Literature: Sawbones
Students will read Catherine Johnson’s crime fiction novel, Sawbones, exploring the conventions of crime fiction and the significance of its relevant contexts. Students will be introduced to key subject terminology for the study of novels, enabling them to discuss and analyse plot, characters and themes with confidence.
Term 2
Myth and Magic
Language: Reading and Writing Fiction
Students will read a selection of fiction extracts linked to the theme of myth and magic. They will study the different stages of Freytag’s Pyramid through a wide variety of myths and legends, discussing and analysing a range of linguistic and structural devices. Using the methods they have analysed, students will spend the term crafting their own mythical narrative.
Literature: The Tempest
Students will read Shakespeare’s late play, The Tempest. They will gain an understanding of how Shakespeare uses myth and magic in his play to engage his audiences, linking to a range of contexts. Students will learn the conventions of tragi-comedies and, through discussion and analytical writing, learn key subject terminology for the study of plays, enabling them to explore plot, characters and themes with confidence.
Term 3
Travel, Exploration and Cultural Diversity
Language: Reading and Writing Non-Fiction
Students will read a range of non-fiction texts linked to the theme of travel, exploration and cultural diversity, paying special attention to key format features. They will discuss and analyse how writers use logic and reason to convince audiences of their viewpoints. Students will then practise using logic and reason in their own non-fiction writing to persuade different audiences.
Literature: Poetry from Around the World
Students will read an anthology of poems linked to the theme of travel, exploration and cultural diversity. They will learn to appreciate poems as spoken word art forms, concentrating on how rhyme and rhythm aid understanding and convey meaning. They will be introduced to a range of poetic forms and learn key subject terminology for the study of poetry, enabling them to discuss and analyse the form, language and structure of different poems confidently.
Term 1
Through the Eyes of a Child
Language: Reading and Writing Fiction
Students will read a selection of fiction extracts from the perspectives of different child narrators from the nineteenth-century to the present day. They will learn key subject terminology for discussing narrative perspective in novels. During the term, students will learn the conventions of dramatic and interior monologues, with the goal of developing their oracy skills as they write and perform their own.
Literature: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Students will read John Boyne’s novel, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas. They will research the context of the novel’s setting and learn key subject terminology for the study of the novel, focusing specifically on the effects of unreliable narration on readers. Students will analyse the plot, key characters and central themes in depth, developing analytical writing methods to enable them to express their own ideas clearly and confidently
Term 2
Heroes and Villains
Language: Reading and Writing Non-Fiction
Students will read a variety of non-fiction writing linked to the theme of heroes and villains, paying special attention to key format features. They will discuss and analyse how a range of writers use emotional appeal in their arguments. They will then practise using emotional appeal in their own writing to persuade different audiences.
Literature: Victorian Literature
Students will read a range of extended extracts and short stories from the Victorian period. They will use different reading strategies to decode vocabulary and concepts with which they are unfamiliar. Students will begin to link ideas within the texts they study to different contexts, while learning key terminology for the study of nineteenth-century novels. They will discuss and analyse a variety of linguistic and structural methods, focusing on how writers use these to create meaning.
Term 3
Celebrating Difference
Language: Reading and Writing Fiction
Students will read a range of extracts from modern novels linked to the theme of celebrating diversity. They will discuss how authors convey social, political and moral messages in their writing, and learn analytical writing methods to enable them to express their own ideas clearly and confidently. They will learn key terminology for the study of modern novel, focusing on methods that create patterns of meaning. Students will gain confidence in using these methods in their own creative writing.
Literature: Celebrating Difference through Poetry
Students will read an anthology of poetry from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries linked to the theme of celebrating difference. They will learn the conventions of significant poetic forms as well as key terminology for the study of poetry. Students will discuss and analyse how poems can be vehicles for political, social, cultural and historical protest, and how reading diverse literature fosters knowledge and understanding beyond their own schemas and experience.
Term 1
Conflict
Language: Reading and Writing Fiction
Students will read a selection of fiction extracts from the nineteenth century to the present day linked to the theme of war writing. They will learn key terminology for the study of modern novels and short stories, focusing on sophisticated structural and linguistic methods used by writers to create patterns of meaning. They will then explore how to use these methods in their own descriptive writing. Students will discuss how different authors convey social, political and moral messages through their writing. They will continue to develop high order analytical writing skills to enable them to express their own arguments about texts clearly and confidently.
Literature: War Writing – Drama and Poetry
Students will read J. C. Sherriff’s play, Journey’s End, alongside a variety of modern war poetry. They will learn the conventions of modern war writing and key terminology for the study of drama and poetry. Students will discuss and analyse how war writing conveys political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages, thereby linking the texts to their contexts in meaningful and relevant ways. They will discuss and analyse the development of dramatic plots, characters and themes in depth, exploring how linguistic and structural methods are used to create meaning. Students will also explore how poets create patterns of meaning through linguistic and structural methods. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills to enable them to express their own arguments about texts clearly and confidently.
Term 2
Extreme Emotion
Language: Reading and Writing Non-Fiction
Students will read and analyse a range of non-fiction texts linked to the theme of extreme emotion, focusing specifically on current social and political issues. They will join up their learning about persuasive writing from Years 7 and 8 to analyse and create arguments using Aristotle’s Three Pillars of Persuasion. They will discuss and analyse how different writers use ethos, logos and pathos to convince audiences of their viewpoints. Writing in a range of formats for a variety of purposes, students will then practise establishing their own credibility, while using logic and reason as well as emotional appeal to persuade different audiences.
Literature: The Gothic
Students will read Susan Hill’s novel, The Woman in Black, alongside extracts from a range of seminal Gothic literary texts. They will learn the conventions of Gothic literature and how they have changed over time, and key terminology for the study of novels and short stories. Students will discuss and analyse how Gothic fiction conveys political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages, thereby linking the texts to their contexts in meaningful and relevant ways. They will discuss and analyse the development of the plot, characters and themes of Hill’s novel in depth, exploring how she uses linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills to enable them to express their own arguments about texts clearly and confidently.
Term 3
Relationships
Language: Reading and Writing Fiction
Students will read a selection of modern fiction extracts linked to the theme of relationships. They will learn key terminology for the study of twentieth- and twenty-first century novels, focusing on sophisticated structural and linguistic methods used by writers to create patterns of meaning. They will then explore how to use these methods in their own narrative writing. Students will discuss how a range of modern authors convey social, political and moral messages through their writing. They will continue to develop high order analytical writing skills to enable them to express their own arguments about texts clearly and confidently.
Literature: Tragedy
Students will be read Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth. They will learn the conventions of tragedy and how they have changed over time, and key terminology for the study of plays. Students will discuss and analyse how Shakespeare conveys political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages, thereby linking the play to its contexts in meaningful and relevant ways. They will discuss and analyse the development of the play’s plot, characters and themes in depth, exploring how Shakespeare uses linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills to enable them to express their own arguments about texts clearly and confidently.
Number of lessons:
Language:
Literature:
All students need to carry the following equipment in pencil cases in their bags.
KS3 assessments follow a progression model, testing students’ recall of key subject terminology, what students should know (substantive knowledge), and what they should be able to do (disciplinary knowledge).
Years 7-9
Year 10
Term 1
Language GCSE: Paper 1, Sections A and B
Students will read a selection of complex fiction extracts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Previous knowledge gained through the progression model KS3 curriculum will be applied to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of narrative and descriptive writing tasks will be interleaved throughout the term.
Literature GCSE: Nineteenth Century Novel: A Christmas Carol/Jekyll and Hyde
Using their knowledge of genre conventions and subject terminology gained in KS3, students will discuss and analyse key aspects of context, plot, characters and themes for the chosen novel. By the end of the term, students will show confidence in analysing how authors convey political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages through their texts, and how they use linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop their sophisticated critical writing skills from KS3, expressing their own arguments about texts coherently and convincingly.
Term 2
Language GCSE: Paper 2, Sections A and B
Students will read a selection of complex non-fiction extracts from nineteenth-century and modern texts. Previous knowledge gained through the progression model KS3 curriculum will be applied to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Non-Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of transactional writing tasks will be interleaved throughout the term.
Literature GCSE: AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology
Using their knowledge of poetic conventions and terminology gained in KS3, students will discuss and analyse key aspects of context, themes and poetic form. By the end of the term, students will show confidence in analysing how a range of authors convey political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages through poetry, and how they use linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop their sophisticated critical writing skills through the comparative essay form, making clear thematic links between the poems of the anthology.
Term 3
Language GCSE: Paper 1, Sections A and B & Spoken Language
Building on their studies in Term 1, students will read a variety of new fiction extracts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. They will revise and apply their subject knowledge to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of narrative and descriptive writing tasks will be interleaved throughout the term.
By the end of the academic year, students will plan, prepare and present their Spoken Language presentations for the GCSE English Language qualification.
Literature GCSE: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
Using their knowledge of genre conventions and subject terminology gained in KS3, students will discuss and analyse key aspects of context, plot, characters and themes in the play. By the end of the term, students will show confidence in analysing how Shakespeare conveys political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages through his plays, and how he uses linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills, expressing their own arguments about texts coherently and convincingly.
Year 11
Term 1A
Language GCSE: Paper 2, Sections A and B
Building on their studies in Year 10, students will read a selection of complex non-fiction extracts from both nineteenth century and modern texts. They will revise and apply their subject knowledge to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Non-Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of transactional writing tasks will be interleaved throughout the half-term, focusing on addressing given purposes and audiences appropriately, and effective use of persuasive, linguistic and structural devices to achieve specific effects.
Literature GCSE: Modern Text: An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers
Using their knowledge of genre conventions and subject terminology gained in KS3 and KS4, students will discuss and analyse key aspects of context, plot, characters and themes in the play. By the end of the term, students will show confidence in analysing how modern playwrights convey political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages through their plays, and how they use linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills, expressing their own arguments about texts coherently and convincingly.
Term 1B
Language GCSE: Paper 1, Sections A and B
Building on their studies in Year 10, students will read further examples of complex fiction extracts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. They will continue to revise and apply their subject knowledge to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Fiction paper in preparation for their mock examinations. Opportunities to engage with a variety of narrative and descriptive tasks will be interleaved throughout the half-term, focusing on crafting language, and effective use of linguistic and structural devices to achieve specific effects.
Literature GCSE: Modern Text: An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers
Continuing their learning from the previous half-term, students will discuss and analyse key aspects of context, plot, characters and themes in the play. By the end of the term, students will show confidence in analysing how modern playwrights convey political, social, cultural, moral and historical ideas and messages through their plays, and how they use linguistic and structural methods to create patterns of meaning. They will continue to develop sophisticated critical writing skills, expressing their own arguments about texts coherently and convincingly.
Term 2A
Language GCSE: Paper 2, Sections A and B
Building on their studies in Years 10 and 11, students will read a further selection of complex non-fiction extracts from both nineteenth century and modern texts. They will revise and apply their subject knowledge to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Non-Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of transactional writing tasks will be interleaved throughout the half-term, focusing on addressing given purposes and audiences appropriately, and effective use of persuasive, linguistic and structural devices to achieve specific effects.
Literature GCSE: Revise AQA Power and Conflict Anthology
Students will revise their knowledge of the AQA Power and Conflict anthology, especially poetic conventions and form, terminology, context and themes. They will be able to identify similarities and differences between the featured poems, developing sophisticated comparative essay writing skills to make clear links between their themes and methods.
Term 2B
Language GCSE: Paper 1, Section A and B.
Building on their studies in Years 10 and 11, students will read a further selection of complex fiction extracts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. They will revise and apply their subject knowledge to practice exam questions from the AQA Reading Fiction paper. Opportunities to engage with a variety of narrative and descriptive tasks will be interleaved throughout the half-term, focusing on crafting language, and effective use of linguistic and structural devices to achieve specific effects.
Literature GCSE: Unseen Poetry
Building on the knowledge of poetic forms, conventions and terminology gained through their study of the AQA Power and Conflict anthology, students will practise applying their skills to a wide range of unseen poems. They will develop advanced comparative essay writing skills to analyse themes and methods in individual poems as well as identifying similarities and differences between two unseen poems.
Term 3
Language GCSE: Paper 1, Sections A and B & Paper 2, Sections A and B
Revision of all reading and writing skills for the formal examinations.
Literature GCSE: Nineteenth Century Novel, Shakespeare, Power and Conflict Poetry, Unseen Poetry, Modern Text
Revision of all exam texts and critical essay writing skills for the formal examinations.
Number of lessons:
Language:
Literature:
Year 10 Summative Assessments:
Term 1
Language: AQA Paper 1, Section A (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4)
X1 Narrative/Descriptive Extended Writing (Language AO5 and AO6)
Literature: Nineteenth Century Text: A Christmas Carol/Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Paper 1, Section B (Literature AO1, AO2 and AO3)
Term 2
Language: AQA Paper 2, Section A (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4)
X1 Transactional Extended Writing (Language AO5 and AO6)
Literature: Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology: Paper 2, Section B (Literature AO1, AO2 and AO3)
Term 3
Language: AQA Paper 1, Section A (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4)
X1 Narrative/Descriptive Extended Writing (Language AO5 and AO6)
Spoken Language (Language AO7 and AO8)
Literature: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet: Paper 1, Section A (Literature AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4)
Year 11 Summative Assessments:
Term 1:
Language: Mock Exams – AQA Paper 1, Sections A & B and Paper 2, Sections A & B (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 and AO6)
X1 Transactional Extended Writing (Language AO5 and AO6)
Literature: Modern Text: An Inspector Calls/Blood Brothers: Paper 2, Section A (Literature AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4)
Term 2
Language: Mock Exams – AQA Paper 1, Sections A & B and Paper 2, Sections A & B (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 and AO6)
X1 Narrative/Descriptive Extended Writing (Language AO5 and AO6)
Literature: Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology Paper 2, Section B (Literature AO1, AO2, AO3) & Unseen Poetry Paper 2, Section C (Literature AO1 and AO2)
Term 3
Language: AQA Paper 1, Sections A and B (Language AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4, AO5 and AO6)
Literature: Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet: Paper 1, Section A (Literature AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4) & Nineteenth Century Text: A Christmas Carol/Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Paper 1, Section B (Literature AO1, AO2 and AO3)
All students must carry the following equipment in pencil cases.
Students are also required to bring their fully charged laptop and charger each day.
Students will also require copies of the texts being studied in their English class.
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