The English Department at Brinsworth Academy is a large department, comprising fifteen subject specialists. The department offers English Language and English Literature at all Key Stages up to A Level. We are committed to sharing our passion for the subject, providing a stimulating, dynamic and academically rigorous experience of English for all our students.

The department has its own interactive whiteboards, and Year 7 participation in the accelerated reader programme. A love for literature is fostered through the enthusiasm and expertise of our specialist staff, and the department runs an after-school writing club open to all year groups.

Lessons are planned to be engaging and challenging, encouraging students to become increasingly confident and reflective learners. A focus on improving skills – across the disciplines of reading, writing, speaking and listening – ensures clear progression between units, building towards success at KS4 and beyond.  Students develop personal targets which are routinely used in lessons to support achievement.

Year Group Topics Covered:

Y7 focuses around ‘Discovering a sense of self’ 

• Telling Stories
• ‘A Monster Calls’
• The Gothic
• ‘Dracula’
• Values, Views and Voices
• Belonging

Y8 considers ‘Conformity and Rebellion’

• Dystopian Fiction
• ‘Maggot Moon’
• Introduction to Film
• Poetic Voices
• ‘I am Malala’
• ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Y9 explores ‘Conflict and Pressure’

• ‘Oliver Twist’
• ‘Victorian Viewpoints’
• ‘War Poetry’
• ‘Heroes’
• ‘Merchant of Venice’
• ‘Animal Farm’

In Y10 students begin their GCSE course.  We follow the AQA specification for both English Language and English Literature.  Our set texts for Literature are:

• ‘Macbeth’
• ‘A Christmas Carol’
• ‘An Inspector Calls’
• AQA Poetry Anthology: Power and Conflict

At Post 16 we offer both A Level English Literature and A Level English Language courses.  Students are encouraged to develop a sense of independence through carrying out their own research to support their classroom study, and as a requirement for coursework.  In both courses, students hone their analytical skills and ability to form cogent arguments.

For A Level English Literature, students follow the Pearson Edexcel course, studying on a wide range of texts including Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Margaret Atwood’s Dystopian novel Handmaid’s Tale, Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel Frankenstein, Tennessee Williams’ play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, and a range of romantic and contemporary poetry.  AQA’s A Level English Language allows students to explore a wide range of topics including: the use of language to represent figures, issues and views; the ways diverse social groups and individuals are considered to use language differently; the ways and reasons language has changed over time; and children’s language development.