English
‘If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others; read a lot and write a lot.’
Stephen King (writer)
Our underlying aim is to foster a love of literature and to develop confident writers and speakers. We encourage all our pupils to engage with all aspects of English from classic literature to modern media.
We believe it is of paramount importance that all our students are exposed to the highest quality of challenging texts whilst they are studying at Bredon Hill Academy. We firmly believe that each student needs to “read as a writer and write as a reader”.
We focus upon how each writer develops their unique voice and how this voice then echoes down the centuries, inspiring others. Grammar, spelling and punctuation are taught within each text and learning groups carefully explore each writer’s choice.
Through our curriculum, pupils:
- study a wide range of texts, including Beowulf, Time Travelling with a Hamster and The Tempest;
- adopt a thematic approach to their studies (Year 6 Journeys, Year 7 Friendships, Year 8 Conflict);
- are encouraged and inspired to be proficient writers across a range of text types;
- develop as confident orators.
Curriculum Overview
Year 6
| Topic | Skills |
| Benchmarking period – GLs, FFT WPM, phonics and dyslexia screening.
Theme for the year: Journeys Time Travelling with a Hamster | RO1 & 2 WO 1, 2 & 3 S&L 1 |
| The Final Year | RO1, 2 & 3 WO 1,2 S&L 1 |
| Skellig | RO 1,2 WO 1, 2, 3 S&L1 |
| Atmospheric Journeys into the unknown and writing | RO 1, 2 & 3 S&L1 WO1, 2, 3 |
| Holes | RO 1,2 & 3 WO 1 &2 & 3 S&L1 |
Year 7
| Topic | Skills |
| Theme for the year: Friendships Rise of the Shadow dragons and Campbell’s Hero’s Journey | RO 1,2 & 3 WO 1, 2 & 3 |
| The Struggle is Real Poetry Anthology | RO 1, 2 & 3 S&L2 WO1 |
| White Poppies (a modern play) | RO1,2 S&L1 WO 1, 2 & 3 |
| Beowulf | RO1 & 2 WO 1, 2 & 3 |
Year 8
| Topic | Skills |
| Theme for the year: conflict Conflicted Voices (modern novel) | RO1,2 & 3 WO 1, 2 & 3 S&LO 1 |
| ‘The Voices of the Others’ Poetry Anthology | RO1, 2 & 4 WO 1, 2, & 3 S&LO 1 |
| Powers of Persuasion – The Art of Aristotle’s Rhetoric Our Voice and Our Vision. | RO1,2 & 3 WO 1, 2, 3 & 4 S&LO 1 & 2 |
| Shakespeare’s Vision of ‘A Brave New World’ The Tempest or The Merchant of Venice | RO1,2 & 3 & 4 WO 1, 2, & 3 S&LO 2 |
| A Brave New World – Is anyone listening? Science fiction. | RO1, 2, 3 & 4 WO 1, 2, 3 & 4 S&LO 1 |
Please see our English Curriculum Journey by clicking here.
Additional Learning Opportunities
- When the new library is built it will be open every lunchtime.
- Touch typing
- Book Buzz
- Writing Competitions
- ‘Reading for Good’ sponsored event once every three years
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Tutor Time Reading Programme
- Adult Reading Mentor Scheme
- World Book Day competitions
- Theatre visits, online author events and drama workshops
- Handwriting Club
- Literacy Gold
- The Lightning Squad
Useful Links
- www.spellingframe.co.uk (year 6 are provided with logins in their learning journals)
- www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zv48q6f (year 6)
- www.educationquizzes.com/ks2/english/ (year 6)
- www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2literacy.html?scrlybrkr=2b65bf2c (year 6)
- https://www.rsc.org.uk/learn/young-people (Shakespeare resources)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv (Year 7 & 8 revision)
- https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ (Reading Ideas and Information for all students)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z4hrt39 (Grammar 7 & 8)
- https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/ (Every Child can be a Reader)
Last Updated: October 2024