English

At KS3, from Years 7-9, students develop a range of skills in reading and writing, infusing speaking and listening activities to engage with challenging texts, tasks and ideas.

KS3 English combines the study of prose, poetry and drama with students encountering a range of texts.  Students are challenged to develop their speaking and listening skills, delivering presentations and participating in discussions. Students develop their ability to read complex texts for meaning and to analyse the writer’s craft. KS3 students also practice writing for a range of purposes with a high level of technical accuracy. We place great value on literacy skills and promote this throughout our provision at KS3.

Every half term, students complete a key piece of work that is marked against focused objectives, in either Literature or Language, building up a folder of six key pieces of work each year. In these assessments, students are encouraged to become more independent and are challenged to develop their own creative opinions and interpretations. These assessments build the skills in preparation for those needed later in the GCSE course and alternate between Literature and Language focus. Although, each unit of work reflects the disciplines needed in both qualifications.

We encourage students to read at home and promote reading as an activity by regularly taking students to our library. Additionally, in Years 7 to 9, students will read the following novels as part of a wider reading programme which will help to develop a range of critical skills which will support them in their studies in English.

• Year 7- Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman
• Year 8- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Year 9- Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

At GCSE, all our students study two GCSEs, English Language and English Literature. Coursework and controlled assessments are no longer undertaken; instead all pupils are assessed via examinations. This entails reading a wider range of texts from: 19^th century fiction, non-fiction and non-literary sources, also including short stories from contemporary writers and plays rich in British culture. Pupils are also given the opportunity to present their views about a topic of interest developing their oracy and confidence for public speaking. Our students’ progress greatly exceeds national expectations from KS2 to GCSE. Students are supported throughout the course by their teachers and are monitored by post-holders in the Department. Revision and intervention classes are run at certain points throughout the year to support students in their learning and their preparation for the examinations in these important qualifications.

KS4 English Language GCSE

At KS4, all students will study English Language as part of the compulsory core. The course aims to enhance students’ appreciation and understanding of written texts, simultaneously developing reading and writing skills.

KS4 students study the GCSE from the examination board AQA. This is an entirely linear course so contains no coursework or controlled assessment components. The final two examinations will require students to analyse and compare fiction, literary non-fiction and non-fiction texts as well as test their writing skills in a range of contexts

KS4 English Literature GCSE

At KS4, all students will study English Literature as part of the compulsory core. The course aims to foster an enjoyment of reading as well as develop students’ written response to a range of texts.

Our students will also use the AQA examination board for their GCSE in English Literature. As with the Language course, they will undertake two Literature examinations at the end of their course. Again, they will not undertake any coursework assignments. Students will study three set texts (Macbeth by William Shakespeare, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens or Jekyll and Hyde by R.L Stevenson and An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley) alongside the ‘Power and Conflict’ poetry anthology from AQA.

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving

80% grades 9-4 in English Language

85% grades 9-4 in English Literature

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving

82% grades 9-4 in English Language and 84% grades 9-4 in English Literature.

English courses can be split into English language (looking in detail at the structure of language) and English literature, looking in detail at texts form books, plays and poetry.

It is useful for all jobs as it helps develop important analysis and written communication skills. Most employers always say they want people with good English skills.

Skills developed through English can help with creative and analytical skills to work in a huge range of different career areas. 

For students who are interested in the Arts and like reading, media, the theatre or events, there are lots of opportunities in broadcasting, publishing and arts management. 

Students who study English for A-levels and enjoy debating, putting together persuasive arguments, may enjoy law, politics and government or business roles.

In English this year:

We have had a number of successes in English this year with Loxford pupils taking part in numerous trips, competitions and performances:

Year 11 Trip - Jekyll and Hyde Soho Walking Tour

Year 11 pupils took the streets of London to follow in the footsteps of author Robert Louis Stevenson and explored the setting of the infamous Jekyll and Hyde. With an informative guide, students were taken on a walking tour of historical sites to build a clear picture of Victorian London and what see first-hand what may have inspired their GCSE novella.

Year 12 Trip – Highgate Cemetery and Tate Britain

As part of their English A Level studies, our Year 12 Literature class took off to Highgate Cemetery to immerse themselves in the Victorian art of... dying. Putting these fantastical stories and structures into real life understanding informed our students' Gothic literature studies, and Andrew, our very knowledgeable guide took us around the tombs.

Further to this, our course also offers study of Christina Rossetti poetry, and so to put her work and plight into context, we visited the wonderful Rossetti exhibition at Tate Britain.

KS4 Trip - Shakespeare’s Globe

To understand the impact that Shakespeare has made to theatre and literature, KS4 students will visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London where they can experience a retelling of one of his most infamous works: Macbeth. Students can hear from the actors, understand what it takes to put on a performance of this scale, and consider some of the tricks of stagecraft when putting on a show in an era without speakers, screens and lightbulbs.

Redbridge Book Awards

Students have been invited to take part in the Redbridge Book Awards Reading Club, where each week they read and discuss books from the latest authors to vote for a winner. At the end of the academic year, students are invited to Ilford Town Hall where, alongside other schools from the borough, they will meet the authors, discuss writing, as well as have the pleasure of hearing guest speakers; 2023’s guest speaker was Dr Stuart Lawrence, bother of Stephen Lawrence.

Jack Petchey Speak-Out Challenge

The annual Jack Petchey Speak-Out Challenge saw our Year 10 English students work with professional speakers to improve oracy skills. Pupils planned, wrote and performed speeches on a range of fantastic topics, with one outstanding candidate being chosen to represent our school at the prestigious Redbridge Speak-Out Challenge event.

Creative Writing Club

This year, the Creative Writing Club has run consistently for a select number of students who have produced some exceptional work. Our student-writers have really been extremely proactive in planning, creating and crafting their own novels, prose and poetry to become the next generation of great writers.

Writing Competitions

Our participation in writing competitions has been a very important part of motivating students to share their writing with others and see the impacts of their work. For the Young Writers Power of Poetry competition, we had as many as 12 students gain the opportunity to successfully publish their work.

aqaeducationofqualrscGCSE bitesizepoetry foundationBBCpoetry archive