Key Stage 4 English 

 We offer a range of qualifications to meet individual students’ needs based on their future ambitions, whether that be A Levels, college, apprenticeships or employment with training. 

KS4 students have four or five lessons each week and follow an integrated curriculum leading to qualifications in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature, with an option for Functional Skills or to study just GCSE English Language dependent on their ability. 

Our programmes of study cover all aspects of the English National Curriculum over 2 years. Each is differentiated across the year groups as classes are taught in mixed ability groupings. 

The KS4 English Lead is an experienced GCSE examiner for Language and Literature across a range of exam boards so GCSE teaching is informed with an insight into examiner expectations and strategies which aid exam success.  

Many of our students arrive part way through their GCSE course, but because we have established links with schools in the district and an understanding of a range of exam boards and different Literature texts, we are able to support students through their GCSE course, regardless of when they join us or the exam specification or texts they are studying. 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum – 2 year GCSE plan  

 KS4 Curriculum Rationale 

GCSE English Literature 

A Christmas Carol 

A Christmas Carol is a beautiful story with an inspiring and powerful message about redemption and social responsibility, which is consistently engaging and challenging across all ability levels. Dickens’ prose is rich and colourful, providing excellent opportunities for analysis of language and characterisation. It is the first text studied for GCSE, and it serves as an interesting start to the exploration of social class and inequality issues.  

An Inspector Calls 

Studying An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley helps students further develop their understanding of social issues and class differences. This timeless and gripping play, which critiques society’s indifference and the importance of social responsibility, offers opportunities for rich discussion, encouraging students to reflect on their own societal roles and values. The play’s multidimensional characters provide an excellent opportunity for character analysis: students can delve into the motivations, flaws and development of the characters, whilst improving their critical thinking and analysis skills. 

 Macbeth 

As one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, Macbeth is a cornerstone of the literary canon. The play explores universal themes such as ambition, guilt, power and corruption, which remain completely relevant for modern teenage audiences today. The complex characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth provide rich opportunities for students to analyse human motivations, moral dilemmas and psychological depth.   Engaging with Shakespeare’s sophisticated language, poetry and dramatic techniques encourages students to expand their vocabulary, improve their reading comprehension and develop critical thinking, close reading and analysis skills. 

Eduqas Poetry Anthology and Unseen Poetry 

Through the study of the poetry anthology and unseen poems, students learn how to read, compare and analyse poetry in a critical way, developing knowledge of metaphoric structures, imagery, meanings and purpose, whilst learning to consider their own personal responses to poems. 

 The anthology covers five main themes: war, power, relationships, the passing of time, place and nature, and illustrates how poets use different styles to explore similar themes. It allows students to learn how the world has been shaped by history and culture by reading poems from different centuries and cultures. Students consider the context, content, key ideas, and the poet’s use of language, structure, and form, discussing and explaining their understanding.