“It sounds like a cliché, but reading really is a portal into worlds you haven’t visited and lives you haven’t lived. I’m lucky – I learned from a fairly young age that reading is a form of escapism and exploration that I think we all need, from time to time.” Jeffrey Boakye

Welcome to English lessons at Castle Manor Academy. We are committed in English to equipping students with enhanced literacy and communication skills so that they can confidently access a wide range of information beyond Castle Manor including opportunities for higher education, employability and training. We know and understand the impact a person’s ability to communicate their ideas, needs and ambitions has on their life outcomes and their ability to have their voice heard and acted on in society as a fully equipped citizen. Language has the power to transform lives when we advocate for ourselves and others.

The team leader, Miss Eyre, and second in charge, Miss Haynes, work on the curriculum offer for Year 8 throughout the year, including looking carefully at the successful work and assessments completed in Year 7 so that we can tailor the Year 8 experience to ensure we are moving forward with purpose, but without forgetting to master the basics. With this in mind, we plan learning that builds on successes in Year 7 and challenges their skills and imagination as they continue their KS3 journey. This includes revisiting writing formats, cementing skills taught in KS2 and Year 7 and adding the next levels of skills from the KS3 National Curriculum. Assessments are cumulative and sequenced so we can always see where there are skill and knowledge gaps, the curriculum is agile, and our teachers are well equipped to adapt teaching so that all students experience continued success. Year 8 lessons are taught by a team of English teachers.

We aim to encourage a love of learning and fascination with the English language in all its written and oral forms. Our KS3 curriculum plan has a literature spine for direct reading and vocabulary instruction which is broad and balanced in terms of the voices, themes and genres it covers so that all students see themselves in the literature we share. In analytical literature lessons, students are challenged to become critical thinkers as they explore plays, novels and poetry from different eras and perspectives. In writing instruction and grammar lessons, students build the skills to become fluent, precise and eloquent writers across a range of formats including reviews, letters of application, persuasive speeches, summaries of research, and a whole host of creative writing. The fun, excitement and enjoyment of writing is injected through our engagement in termly national writing competitions and students certainly relish the chance to show off their creativity and talents.

In year 8, students have regular access to the school library where they can develop research and enquiry skills, check out books to extend their understanding of their literature study, and read more by authors they have discovered in English reading lessons.