English
“A word after a word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood
Curriculum Intent
The English Department at St. Joseph’s aims to provide all students with opportunities to explore a broad range of literary genres, periods and writers in order to develop an understanding of the power of language and literature. We strive to help students become confident and articulate writers and speakers who understand how to harness the power of the written word and communicate with clarity and skill. We aim to create an inspiring learning environment through which our curriculum will be delivered in exciting and motivating ways and we promote enjoyment and happiness through supportive interpersonal relationships and quality enrichment activities.
Studying English at St. Joseph’s builds resilience and encourages ambition and aspiration. The aim of our curriculum is to consolidate and build on the skills pupils learn at Key Stage 2 and develop students as critical readers and skilful writers who appreciate and enjoy reading and creating texts. We encourage students to read a broad range of texts in order to gain cultural capital and an aesthetic appreciation of literature as a form of art, which will enrich their lives beyond their school years.
Our Curriculum Intention overview:
We strive to ensure our students can:
- Read texts confidently and methodically, in order to understand 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, 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 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, our community and the wider environment.