We work hard to create an exciting and intellectually challenging learning space in which students at BUCHS develop an understanding of a diverse range of texts. These texts cover a large variety of genres, historical periods and writers, including writers of different genders, minority groups and racial identities.

In considering different texts, we will inspire our students to consider the power of the written word and recognise that there is a great diversity of human experiences and views in the world.

We encourage students to question the messages within a writer’s text, both implicit and explicit, and also consider the impact of a writer’s choice of words, methods or language techniques on readers and audiences today and historically.

We also motivate our students to develop their own writing skills, encouraging them to experiment with their choice of vocabulary, sentence types, language techniques and punctuation for effect. We teach students academic essay skills in our classes, as well as the ability to write creatively in the fiction and non-fiction genres. These writing skills are extremely transferable as students make their way in the world, leading to their success in higher education or employment.

Curriculum Summary

Key Stage 3

The English curriculum in Years 7 and 8 at BUCHS is focused on enjoyment and developing a student's reading and writing skills from Key Stage 2. The curriculum aims to expose students to a wide range of literary writing styles over two years and pupils will be encouraged to use this writing as an inspiration to produce a variety of texts of their own. 

The topics that students will cover include:

• Ursuline Values
• World Literature
• Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
• C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Dystopian Fiction
• Life in the 19^th Century
• War Poetry
• Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
• Gothic Fiction, including a close study of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black

Key Stage 4

Qualification: English Language GCSE

Awarding Body and Paper : AQA 8700

Tier of Entry - Single Tier.

Programme of Study

Students read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts; they learn how to analyse the way a writer's language choices create shades of meaning. They practise writing in a variety of genres. Particular attention is paid to the accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as encouraging students to vary their vocabulary and sentence structures. Students also study literary texts and take part in a range of speaking and listening activities.

Learning/Teaching Approach

A wide range of approaches are used, including whole class and group discussion, student presentations and drama focussed activities. Revision activities form a regular part of homework and the curriculum encourages students to understand the links between the different areas of the course. To achieve a high grade, students also need to devote a large amount of private study to reading and writing tasks in which they practise the skills learned.

Assessment

Two exam papers of 1 hour and 45 minutes each; each paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE.

• Paper 1 focuses on the students' understanding of creative reading and writing and tests their knowledge of the writer's craft, language and structure. The exam paper consists of one unseen extract from any given fictional piece, followed by four questions. Students are also required to write creatively on either a given image or theme.
• Paper 2 is a media / non-fiction based paper. Students are provided with two unseen extracts and are then given four questions to answer, one of which will be a comparison of the texts. The second part of the paper requires students to write for a specific purpose: explain, argue, persuade or describe.

What it could lead to

Students develop important literacy skills which underpin all other studies and give them a firm foundation for higher education and working life. They become more confident in presenting their ideas through a range of media. The course provides an excellent grounding for students who wish to study English at A level.

Additional Points

All texts for both exam papers are unseen.
All pupils will complete a speaking and listening task; this is not graded as part of the GCSE, but will be awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade.

Qualification : English Literature GCSE

Awarding Body and Paper : AQA 8702

Tier of Entry - Single Tier.

Programme of Study

Students read a wide range of literary texts and learn how to analyse the way a writer's language choices create shades of meaning. They study a significant number of poems, a play by Shakespeare, a nineteenth century novel and a modern novel or play.

Learning/Teaching Approach

A wide range of approaches are used including whole class and group discussion, student presentations and drama focussed activities. To achieve a high grade, students also need to devote a large amount of private study to reading and writing tasks.

Assessment

There are two exam papers; Paper 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes and Paper 2 is 2 hours 15 minutes.

• Paper 1 comprises one Shakespeare question and one question on a 19th century novel. Both sections of the paper will provide students with an extract from the text they have studied which they will then respond to.
• Paper 2 is made up of three sections: modern texts, poetry (based on an anthology) and unseen poetry. Students will be asked to answer questions on characters, themes, writer's craft and language. The anthology-based question will be a comparative task.

What it can lead to

Through studying literature, students develop critical thinking skills and the ability to present their ideas in a confident and coherent manner. Developing an appreciation of literature gives students a life-long interest in this rich resource.

Students develop important literacy skills which underpin all other studies and give them a firm foundation for higher education and working life. The course provides an excellent grounding for students who wish to study English Literature at 'A' level.

Additional Points

Texts for study will be decided by the English Department. All of the exams will be closed book, so students will not have access to the full text in their exams.

Qualification : A- Level English Literature

Awarding Body and Paper: EDEXCEL 9ET0

Tier of Entry - Single Tier.

Programme of Study

This course builds on what students know already from GCSE, to teach the skills every literature student needs to explore and understand a wide range of texts, and to help develop the valuable transferable skills of sustained research and composition. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to develop critical awareness and understanding of individual works of literature, of relationships between texts and of the significance of cultural and contextual influences on readers and writers.

Learning/Teaching Approach

Students will cover a much wider range of texts than at GCSE. The scope of literary works studied includes texts drawn from the 16^th Century up to literature post 2000. Students will also engage with critical voices and develop their opinions about the texts they study.  This, alongside the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research, are all invaluable for both further study and future employment.

Assessment

There are three exam papers; Paper 1 is 2 hours 15 minutes, Paper 2 is 1 hour 15 minutes and Paper 3 is 2 hours 15 minutes.

• Paper 1 covers the Drama texts and there are two different sections: Shakespeare, in which students will study a play and a critical anthology and then answer an essay question from a choice of two; and Other Drama, in which students will study a twentieth century play and then answer an essay question from a choice of two.  
• Paper 2 is focused on Prose and students will read two novels and answer a comparative essay question from a choice of two.
• Paper 3 centres on Poetry and there are two sections: the first focuses on a modern anthology that is a collection of poems written and published after 2000; the other section is an anthology of poems from a significant time period, such as the Romantics, the Victorians or the Modernists. Students will answer an essay question related to both of these anthologies.

As well as exams, students will also complete a piece of Non-Exam Assessment. This will be a written investigation report of between 2,500 and 3,000 words and will be based on two texts of their choice.

What it can lead to

The English Literature course is a prestigious course with an excellent reputation amongst universities, including the important Russell Group universities. Students are taught vital skills, such as critical thinking, analytical reading and effective academic writing, which means they are equipped for higher education success and also transferable skills which are useful in the workplace. Students who study A Level English Literature are encouraged to progress to further study at degree level.  We have had students progress to a range of universities to study the subject, including Oxford and Cambridge University.  

Additional Points

Texts for study will be decided by the English Department. The exams are open book, so students will have access to all of the texts that they have studied on the course in their exams.

Qualification: A- Level English Language and Literature

Awarding Body and Paper: AQA 7707

Tier of Entry - Single Tier.

Programme of Study

This is an accessible and stimulating course in which students engage creatively and independently with a variety of spoken, written and multi-modal texts. Designed with a focus on the integration of language and literature, our subject curriculum enables students to see how linguistic and literary methods are related and to explore these links in their work.

Learning/Teaching Approach

Offering clear skills progression from GCSE, this course allows students to build on the competencies and knowledge already gained and prepare for their next steps. The variety of assessment styles used, such as re-creative writing, commentary writing, discursive essays and research-based investigative writing, allows students to develop a wide range of skills. These include the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research, which are invaluable for both further study and future employment.

Assessment

There are two exam papers; Paper 1 is 3 hours and Paper 2 is 2 hours 30 minutes.

• Paper 1 covers three different sections: Remembered Places, in which students will study an anthology of texts connected to Paris and then answer an essay question; Imagined Worlds, where students will study a 19^th Century text and then answer an essay question; and then Poetic Voices, in which students study an anthology of poetry and then answer an essay question.   
• Paper 2 is made up of two sections: Writing about Society and Dramatic Encounters. Students will be asked to produce a re-creative writing task and a commentary based on a 20^th Century text that they have studied. They will then answer an essay-based question on a play that they have looked at in lessons.

As well as the exams, students will also complete a piece of Non-Exam Assessment. This will be a written investigation report of between 2,500 and 3,000 words and will be based on two texts of their choice.

What it can lead to

The English Language and English Literature course encourages students to read a range of texts and can allow them to springboard into both university study and also employment. Careers such as public relations, law, publishing and teaching are all avenues that we encourage our young people to explore. We also encourage students to consider the study of linguistics at higher education following this course, as well as progressing to English Literature or other English related courses.

Additional Points

Texts for study will be decided by the English Department. Apart from the Paris Anthology, students will have all of the texts that they have studied on the course in their exams.