English
What is the curriculum trying to achieve?
The ability to use and evaluate language underpins all aspects of professional, social and personal life and is the foundation for success in all subjects.  In English, we explore the human experience through language and literature; we search for its meaning and ambiguity as well as its beauty and power. We encourage students to express themselves creatively.
Students explore, interrogate and manipulate language, which allows us to be critical and confident readers, writers and speakers. Students utilise functional literacy, which provides our students with the language skills to engage meaningfully in a variety of contexts, including spoken language. Whilst honouring the traditions and history of English as a discipline, students explore a broad and rich range of texts where characters demonstrate all CREARCI values. This allows us to examine the human condition, both historically and culturally, and how this conditions their own lives. English also develops the emotional literacy, values and perspectives needed to become a well-rounded individual, ready for the world of tomorrow.
How do we organise learning?
Each of our subjects organises learning to achieve our federation vision of ‘Educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow: a seamless education from 4 to 19’. Please click here to see a visual map of students’ planned ‘learning journey’ in English across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5.
To see more detail on what we teach at each Key Stage, please click the relevant links below:
A Level curriculum summary - English Language
A Level curriculum summary - English Literature
Anything else?
If you have any questions about our curriculum or require more information, please contact the Head of Faculty by emailing contact@thedownsschool.org
