English

English

English at The UCL Academy is aimed at taking students on a seven year journey exploring amazing literature. We expose students to fantastic stories, complex concepts and help them view themselves and the role they can play in society in new ways . We want our young people to develop outstanding academic writing skills, grow their confidence and fluency in conveying their ideas verbally and engender a sense of curiosity about the world around them.

We are a large and diverse team of teachers and academic coaches who all have a deep passion for our subject, and love sharing this with our students. We look forward to being able to engender the same enthusiasm for and love in our subject with you!

 

Key Stage 3

In your three years at KS3, you will explore a wide range of text types (ranging from short stories, to plays and novels) alongside studying texts from almost 600 years ago right up to the present day. One half-term you might be writing a monologue as Achilles or Helen of Troy, while the next you could be performing a piece of spoken word poetry that you have created. We firmly believe in helping our students explore as wide a range of literature as possible, from across different genres, time periods, cultures and places in the world.

At KS3 students have two double lessons and one single lesson of English per week. At the start of each of these lessons you will be completing some independent reading, as we believe that supporting students to develop their reading ability  is crucial to their success more widely.

Key Stage 4

At GCSE you will study for two full GCSEs, English Literature & English Language, across four exam papers. Students have two double lessons and two single lessons of English per week. We use the AQA exam board and the topics you study will be:

English Literature

• Macbeth: We will explore Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy, examining the human desire for power and the guilt that can often be attached to this. You will explore this text in L2 and again, in more depth and detail, in L2+ to help ensure you are ready for your GCSE exam.
• A Christmas Carol: You will examine Dickens’ classic supernatural novella which, whilst set in the heart of the Victorian era, has huge relevance today as to how we think about poverty, greed and the power of the individual. You will explore this text at the end of L1+ and again, in more depth and detail, in L2+ to help ensure you are ready for your GCSE exam.
• Lord of the Flies: William Golding’s allegory of what happens when a group of English boys are trapped on a desert island is a huge favourite with our students, enabling them to consider what truly lies at the heart of mankind. You will explore this text in L2 and again, in more depth and detail, in L2+ to help ensure you are ready for your GCSE exam.
• Comparative Poetry: Love & Relationships. Students study 15 poems from a range of cultures and time periods, but all focusing on aspects of love and relationships – this is a truly thought-provoking unit of study. You will explore this text in L2 and again, in more depth and detail, in L2+ to help ensure you are ready for your GCSE exam.
• GCSE Language: Across your two years of study you will spend time developing the skills needed to tackle the two GCSE Language papers – both fiction and nonfiction –  successfully, including analysing authorial methods, comparing viewpoints and perspectives, writing to entertain and writing to argue.

Key Stage 5

At A level students will have the opportunity to explore:

• A modern play – A Streetcar Named Desire
• A collection of contemporary poetry
• Two novels on the theme of the supernatural – Beloved & Dracula
• A Shakespeare play – Othello
• A range of Romantic poetry

During the A Level course you will explore a wide range of canonical texts whilst also taking part in masterclasses from a number of the country’s finest English Literature academics, through our close partnership with the UCL English department. You will also receive one-to-one and small group academic mentoring to support you in your academic journey. Our course is further enriched by theatre trips and conferences tailored to match the texts you will study.

Term Plans

Exam Specifications

GCSE AQA English Language (8700) – Click here to see the specifications
GCSE AQA English Literature (8702) – Click here to see the specifications
A Level Edexcel (9E20) – Click here to see the specifications

Header photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash