English Department

Curriculum Intent 

English forms the basis for our development as human beings, our relationships with others and crucially, our understanding of the world around us.  The study of English is therefore key to personal growth and through the development of effective written and spoken communication skills following our challenging and purposeful curriculum here at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi, is the foundation for all learning. 

From Year 7, students will be building on the foundations of the primary curriculum through a systematic exposure to a wide range of high-quality literature.  We not only promote reading for enjoyment to ignite a curiosity in students, but also as a way of acquiring knowledge and exploring the world in ways that develop a student’s cultural and emotional intellect.  Our Secondary Reading Strategy which incorporates the Accelerated Reader programme, fortnightly independent reading in the library and Book Buzz among other initiatives, recognises the barriers students face in accessing challenging texts and seeks to address these issues from day one.  For example, different types of narrators and reader perspectives, non-linear time sequences in texts, complex plots and archaic or sophisticated language and encourages students to confidently explore and probe the literal and layered meanings on offer in the texts they read.  With a very diverse intake including many non-English/EAL to students with little to no English to students with a reading age of 16+ at Key Stage 2, we actively encourage students through our carefully designed curriculum to develop their close reading skills so they can confidently and methodically break down the language and structure of a complex passage to establish and analyse meaning.  Furthermore, in order to develop accountable and independent readers, we have designed a curriculum which requires different types or layers of reading which is supported by text dependent questions and with mastery shown through a range of writing opportunities interleaved throughout the schemes of learning. 

As students progress through the English curriculum here at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi, they are continually developing their close reading skills through exposure to increasingly challenging fiction and non-fiction, including works of course by 19th, 20th and 21st century authors.  We want our students to be able to engage with a range of texts with confidence and to develop their skills in decoding difficult or challenging texts, gathering carefully selected evidence, evaluating texts in detail and possessing the ability to explore multiple texts simultaneously to formulate and articulate personal viewpoints.  The development of these skills feeds directly into their study of spoken language and the importance of verbal communication in accessing the world around them.  Opportunities have been created for students to debate and discuss their ideas through a range of individual and group presentations, speeches, performance and reading aloud to develop their oracy skills in a safe environment.  We firmly believe that exposure to a range of opportunities builds students’ confidence and allows them to develop life-long skills in verbal communication. 

The English curriculum in our schools is robust and systematic in exposing students to effective challenge so they can build and refine long-lasting skills for the future. Subsequently, we offer a curriculum which has appropriate challenge for all students and aims to allow students to flourish in the skills required for success in their chosen KS4 and post 16 pathways.  Students at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi will therefore be given the opportunity through our curriculum to develop and master the following: 

• read complex passages confidently and methodically, in order to breakdown the language and structure to establish and analyse meaning; 
• demonstrate mastery of reading through discussion and writing; 
• enjoy a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts which help them to connect with the world around them; 
• develop cultural capital that will help remove barriers to achievement in school, future learning and the world of work; 
• write clearly, fluently and accurately in plain English, showing flair and creativity where appropriate; 
• develop detailed ideas in writing, adapting language to audience and purpose; 
• use a wide range of appropriate and ambitious vocabulary with precision; 
• produce ‘beautiful work’ of which they can be proud; 
• in talk, articulate and express their ideas, views and opinions about a wide range of topics clearly, confidently and respectfully; 
• develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, the Academy of St Francis of Assisi community and the wider environment.