Shaftesbury High School

Intent:

The English Department is committed to fostering a love for language and literature while equipping students with essential communication skills for the future. Our curriculum is designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills, allowing students to engage with a wide range of texts from different genres, cultures, and historical periods. Through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, we aim to develop students' confidence, empathy, and ability to express themselves effectively.

We strive to create an inclusive and stimulating environment where students can explore ideas, debate perspectives, and cultivate an appreciation for the power of language. By integrating pupil voice, we ensure that our curriculum remains relevant, engaging, and reflective of the challenges and needs of our students. Ongoing formative assessment informs teaching and provides meaningful feedback that supports students in reaching their full potential. Adaptive teaching strategies allow us to tailor learning experiences to meet the needs of all students, ensuring that everyone is supported and challenged appropriately.

Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) is embedded within our curriculum to highlight the relevance of English in all career pathways, from journalism and construction to medical and creative industries. By developing transferable skills such as communication, analysis, and problem-solving, we prepare students for future success in work, relationships and life.

Implementation:

Our curriculum is structured to build upon prior learning and progressively develop students’ skills in reading comprehension, creative and analytical writing, and verbal communication. Lessons are designed to be interactive and dynamic, incorporating discussions, group work, independent investigation, and multimedia resources to enhance engagement.

Key aspects of our approach include:

·         A broad and balanced selection of literary texts, including great storytellers, classic and contemporary; poetry; drama; and non-fiction.

·         Thematic units that encourage students to make connections between texts and real-world issues, linking context, purpose and audience.

·         A strong focus on vocabulary development and reading skills through guided reading and access to quality texts.

·         Development of a confident narrative voice in writing – storytelling in fiction and expression of ideas in non-fiction.

·         Understanding of writers’ craft and choices

·         Opportunities to develop oracy skills through communication of views and opinions in debate, presentations, and discussions.

·         Regular assessments, both formative and summative, to track progress and provide targeted support.

·         Enrichment activities such as creative writing competitions, book quizzes, and theatre visits to extend learning beyond the classroom.

Students are encouraged to be reflective learners, with self-assessment and peer feedback playing a key role in their development. Staff work closely with students to ensure they achieve their full potential and develop confidence in their literary and linguistic abilities.

Impact:

By the end of their English studies, students will:

·         Fluency in Reading and Writing – Learners develop confidence in reading a wide range of complex texts and writing with effective and accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)for different audiences and purposes.

·         Critical Thinking and Analysis – Students refine their ability to evaluate texts critically, exploring themes, language, and structure with depth and insight.

·         Enhanced Communication Skills – Learners gain proficiency, making effective choices in spoken language, expressing ideas clearly and confidently in discussions, debates, and presentations.

·         Broadened Cultural Awareness – Exposure to literature from diverse periods, genres, and perspectives fosters empathy, understanding, and appreciation of different cultures and historical contexts.

·         Personal and Social Development – Through engagement with views and opinions in texts, students explore moral, ethical, and philosophical issues, helping them develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

·         Adaptability and Resilience – Learners develop problem-solving skills and the ability to make choices, adapting their language and style for different audiences and contexts, preparing them for academic and professional settings.

·         Career Readiness (CEIAG) – Students acquire transferable skills, such as research, critical evaluation, and persuasive communication, adaptive to different contexts, purposes and audiences in all careers.

·         Effective Use of Assessment and Feedback – Regular formative and summative assessments inform progress, with targeted feedback enabling students make informed choices to improve and take ownership of their learning.

·         Inclusion and Accessibility – Adaptive teaching ensures that all learners, including those with SEND and EAL, receive the support and challenge needed to succeed.

·         Lifelong Engagement with Language and Literature – Students leave school with a lasting appreciation for reading and writing, equipped with the skills to engage with the world as articulate, informed individuals.

Our English curriculum is designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed academically and beyond. Whether pursuing careers in education, public services, construction, health or any field requiring strong communication skills, our students leave with a deep appreciation of language and its impact on the world.