Curriculum Intent

English at Frederick Gent School is approached through the school’s values. We are ambitious in the topics we teach, encourage bravery when students are developing and contributing ideas, and we approach each element of the subject with great care.

Our English curriculum is structured to provide enjoyment, engagement and challenge and this begins in Y7 where students grapple with key linguistic concepts, as well as encounter seminal pieces of literature that help them make sense of the world around them. We encourage students to read beyond the classroom and use our library as a key resource in nurturing this vital skill.

Students develop and practise their writing skills in supportive, well-sequenced units; this ensures that they quickly learn the importance of planning and structuring creative and non-fiction writing effectively. We also offer regular opportunities for students to hone their verbal skills in the classroom, as this will form an important role in their lives beyond the classroom. This approach continues into Y8 and Y9, making sure that our students are provided with a firm foundation from which to move into GCSE study.

At GCSE, students will study both English Language and English Literature, following the AQA specifications. In English Literature, we have selected texts that connect strongly with work completed in KS3, providing an element of support when students reach this level of study. English Language continues to provide students with opportunities to read and write varied and interesting texts.

Assessment is used to drive students’ skills forwards, with an emphasis on students using these moments to learn, make improvements and repair misconceptions. Where appropriate, students are identified for bespoke literacy interventions in order to further support their development.