Having a strong understanding of the English Language will allow students to become fluent in written and spoken English. This will allow them to communicate effectively with the world around them, thus allowing children to become engaged in cultural, social and economic issues, and intellectual debates.

The curriculum is designed and sequenced so that pupils gain mastery of the skills needed to read, write and articulate orally to a standard that will enable them to access both the literature and language GCSE courses at Key Stage Four and beyond. 

The overarching intention is that students are able to confidently discuss, analyse and make their own judgements about a piece of writing. Within different units, students will develop a wide variety of skills. These will include analysing language and its impact on the audience/ reader; discussing how structure within a text is used for effect and how context helps to impact writers and their work.

At Castle Donington College, English teachers are keen to develop a genuine love of literature and have developed a curriculum that allows pupils to explore and access a range of texts with passionate and highly competent teachers. Success at key stage 3 build confidence before pupils embarking on the more in-depth exploration of literature at key stage four. Knowledge taught in years 7, 8 and 9 helps pupils to develop both analytical and writing skills. Pupils are exposed to a broad and exciting range of texts, through which they develop their understanding of how texts are crafted for audience and purpose; their inferential and analytical skills and their own ability to write precisely using punctuation, literary techniques and vocabulary for effect on their reader.

The Key Stage Three English Curriculum has been designed to spark students’ interests and creativity, whilst providing them with a solid basis of preparation to meet the rigours of Key Stage 4 and 5. It is designed to challenge pupils, promote valid and respectful discussion and debate, as well as introduce them to a wide range of different texts and genres. Pupils will also study a wide range of non-fiction texts including newspaper articles and speeches, and learn how to use language and structure to argue their own point of view successfully. There are also literacy lessons, focussing on spelling, punctuation and grammar, and library lessons focussing on independent reading embedded throughout the year. All pupils will also have opportunities to write creatively, both within the texts and genres they are studying and beyond. Through this work students will also learn subject-specific vocabulary to be employed within their own writing, as well as how to structure their work successfully and with flair

English Literature and Language is taught together through the English Curriculum, which is divided into discreet units. Pupils focus on one element (transactional writing, Writers Voice, Shakespeare, Conflict and recent writing) in each year and develop skills in a range of contexts.

All pupils in Years 7 to 11 receive 8 lessons on English each fortnight. This includes language and literature, taught by the same teacher. One lesson is dedicated to Creative writing and exploits the College library as a resource. Wherever appropriate, we also aim to enrich the learning experience of our pupils through storytellers, performance poets and live performances.