KS4 ENGLISH
In KS4 we aim to familiarise students with a broad range of texts, providing a depth of knowledge, offering the opportunity for critical thinking up to and beyond the formal examinations.
Students need to critically evaluate language methods and the key message of communication. To make decisions about the communicator’s intent. Pupils make decisions about one’s own register, tone and message. Students find opportunities for societal analysis, cultural analysis and world knowledge through literature.
KS4 topics by year
Exam board AQA
Year 10
A Christmas Carol
Read, understand and develop a personal response to the plot, characters and the themes.
To confidently apply the social and historical context of the novel and gain insight into Dickens’ ideas, attitudes and intentions.
Explore how themes character changes, setting and plot structure is used with gothic effects. To explore the importance of the changing character of Scrooge and the symbolism of the ghosts.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 1
A Christmas Carol
Read, understand and develop a personal response to the plot, characters and the themes.
To confidently apply the social and historical context of the novel and gain insight into Dickens’ ideas, attitudes and intentions.
Explore how themes character changes, setting and plot structure is used with gothic effects. To explore the importance of the changing character of Scrooge and the symbolism of the ghosts.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 1
Macbeth
Explore and understand the structure of the tragedy. Study the characterisation and themes with supporting quotations that they represent.
Apply the social and historical context focussing on the main themes.
Exploration of how Shakespeare uses language, form and structure to convey meaning and how this reflects the social and historic context of the Jacobean era.
Mock exam:
English Literature Paper 1
Macbeth
Explore and understand the structure of the tragedy. Study the characterisation and themes with supporting quotations that they represent.
Apply the social and historical context focussing on the main themes.
Exploration of how Shakespeare uses language, form and structure to convey meaning and how this reflects the social and historic context of the Jacobean era.
Mock exam:
English Literature Paper 1
Secure spoken English skills to plan, perform and present a speaking and listening presentation.
Speak with clarity and purpose using rhetorical devices to present ideas in a logical and coherent way.
Speaking and Listening exam
Poetry
Power and conflict cluster. The poems are taught across Year 10 and 11. There are 15 poems.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 2
Secure spoken English skills to plan, perform and present a speaking and listening presentation.
Speak with clarity and purpose using rhetorical devices to present ideas in a logical and coherent way.
Speaking and Listening exam
Poetry
Power and conflict cluster. The poems are taught across Year 10 and 11. There are 15 poems.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 2
Year 11
An Inspector Calls
An exploration into the background and setting of the play. To focus on the Edwardian society and the class system; to understand the political theories: capitalism and socialism to understand the ideas in the play.
Exploration of characterisation and character development across the play.
An understanding of dramatic techniques and symbolism. A focus on the Inspector’s monologue for the writer’s purpose. How tension is created and how the playwright uses suggestions of the supernatural.
Form a personal, critical response to the play. Explore how themes of gender, responsibility, duty, class and inequality are portrayed.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 1 English Literature Paper 2
An Inspector Calls
An exploration into the background and setting of the play. To focus on the Edwardian society and the class system; to understand the political theories: capitalism and socialism to understand the ideas in the play.
Exploration of characterisation and character development across the play.
An understanding of dramatic techniques and symbolism. A focus on the Inspector’s monologue for the writer’s purpose. How tension is created and how the playwright uses suggestions of the supernatural.
Form a personal, critical response to the play. Explore how themes of gender, responsibility, duty, class and inequality are portrayed.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 1 English Literature Paper 2
Complete the poetry
Learning the skills of poetry comparison.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 2 English Literature Paper 1
Complete the poetry
Learning the skills of poetry comparison.
Mock exam:
English Language Paper 2 English Literature Paper 1
Key Contact
If you would like any more information about this subject, please contact:
- Head of Department Denise Whitley: denise.whitley@thebicesterschool.org.uk
- 2nd in Department Catherine Allenza: catherine.allenza@thebicesterschool.org.uk
- 3rd in Department Cynthia Davila: cynthia.davila@thebicesterschool.org.uk