Bingley Grammar School

English


The study of English is essential in terms of helping individuals develop understanding and communicate successfully with the world.

Beginning in Year 10, students will study for two qualifications: AQA GCSE English Language and AQA GCSE English Literature.

The AQA English Language course engages students in creative texts and inspires them to write creatively themselves. Students also explore how writers have particular viewpoints and perspectives on issues or themes that are important to the way we think and live our lives and will produce their own written texts in response to this.

The AQA English Literature course encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking. Through a study of set texts, students have a chance to develop culturally and acquire knowledge of the best that has been thought and written. Students at BGS will study Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, the 'Power and Conflict' anthology of poetry, and unseen poetry.

Enrichment

The Department runs subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational events throughout the year such as World Book Day and a variety of Author visits. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge.

In GCSE and A Level exam years revision sessions are offered to consolidate learning.

Assessment

Formative internal assessments take place throughout each scheme of work to monitor pupil progress. Formal assessments are completed, using GSCE mark schemes every term. These including mock exam weeks. This information is then used to inform further teaching and learning, intervention, and reported to parents and carers.

KS4 Exam Board Specifications: 

AQA GCSE English Language (8700) >>

AQA GCSE English Literature (8702) >>

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

  • Topic 1 - Modern novel: Private Peaceful or The Book Thief
  • Topic 2 - Imaginative Writing
  • Topic 3 - Shakespeare: The Tempest or Hamlet
  • Topic 4 - Non-Fiction Reading and Writing

Knowledge Organisers:

Private Peaceful KO

Hamlet KO

Imaginative Writing KO

Non Fiction Reading and Writing KO

The Tempest KO

Year 8

  • Topic 1 - Classic text
  • Topic 2 - Non-Fiction Reading and Writing
  • Topic 3 - Modern play
  • Topic 4 - Poetry from different cultures

Knowledge Organisers:

A Monster Calls KO

Animal Farm KO

Non-Fiction Reading and Writing KO

Poetry From Other Cultures KO

Sherlock KO

Noughts and Crosses KO

Uncle Montague

Our Day Out KO

DNA KO

Year 9 

  • Topic 1 - Gothic/Dystopian short stories and extracts
  • Topic 2 - Comparative Poetry
  • Topic 3 - Romeo and Juliet
  • Topic 4 - Spoken Language

Knowledge Organisers:

Gothic/Dystopian KO

Comparative Poetry KO

Spoken Language KO

Year 10

English Language:

AQA Paper 1 skills:

  • Creative Writing (‘People and Places’)
  • Reading Fiction (Short Stories)

AQA Paper 2 skills:

  • Non-Fiction Reading and Writing (‘Contentious Issues)
  • Speaking and Listening Endorsement

English Literature:

  • A Christmas Carol
  • Macbeth
  • Conflict Poetry

 

KS4 Knowledge Organisers

Paper 1 KO

Back of Paper 1 KO 

Paper 2 KO

Back of Paper 2 KO

A Christmas Carol KO

An Inspector Calls KO

Power And Conflict KO

Unseen Poetry KO

Year 11

English Language:

  • AQA Paper 1 skills – Creative Writing and Reading Fiction
  • AQA Paper 2 skills – Non-Fiction Reading and Writing
  • Exam skills and preparation

English Literature:

  • Power Poetry
  • An Inspector Calls
  • Unseen Poetry
  • Revision 

KS4 Knowledge Organisers

Paper 1 KO

Back of Paper 1 KO 

Paper 2 KO

Back of Paper 2 KO

A Christmas Carol KO

An Inspector Calls KO

Power And Conflict KO

Romeo And Juliet KO

Unseen Poetry KO

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