Explore the curriculum

EnglishAges 10–11

Summarising Non-Fiction Main Ideas

Reading Comprehension

Determine two or more main ideas of an informational text and explain how they are supported by key details, then summarise the text without personal opinions

EnglishAges 10–11

Summarising Spoken and Media Presentations

Speaking & Listening

Summarise a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats including visually, quantitatively, and orally

EnglishAges 10–11

Supporting ideas with evidence

Reading Comprehension

Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which specific points

EnglishAges 10–11

Synthesising across multiple texts

Reading Comprehension

Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably, combining information without plagiarising

EnglishAges 10–11

The subjunctive mood

Grammar & Punctuation

Use the subjunctive form in formal writing and speech to express wishes, demands, suggestions, or hypothetical situations (e.g., 'If I were you', 'I suggest that he go', 'Were they to arrive')

EnglishAges 10–11

Using a Thesaurus to Choose Words

Vocabulary

Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and extend vocabulary choices, selecting the most appropriate word based on context, connotation, and register

EnglishAges 10–11

Using Multiple Sources

Reading Comprehension

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or solve a problem efficiently

EnglishAges 10–11

Varying Sentence Structure

Grammar & Punctuation

Expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning, reader interest, and style, using techniques such as embedding clauses, using appositives, and varying sentence length

EnglishAges 10–11

Writing a Précis

Writing Composition

Precis longer passages by summarising the main ideas and key information concisely while maintaining the essential meaning and removing non-essential detail

EnglishAges 11–14

Academic Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Acquire and use accurately a broad range of general academic vocabulary and domain-specific words — drawing new vocabulary from reading and listening and deploying it consciously in writing and speech to achieve particular effects

EnglishAges 11–14

Advanced Figurative Language

Vocabulary

Understand and interpret figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meaning — including allusion, irony, pun, oxymoron, and extended metaphor — and distinguish between connotation and denotation when analysing or choosing words

EnglishAges 11–14

Advanced Punctuation for Clarity

Grammar & Punctuation

Use punctuation confidently and accurately for effect and clarity — including semicolons to link related clauses, colons to introduce lists or explanations, dashes and parentheses for parenthetical information, ellipsis for omission or suspense, and commas for coordinate adjectives and nonrestrictive elements

EnglishAges 11–14

Analysing Text Structure

Reading Comprehension

Analyse how a text's structure — including its overall organisation, use of chapters, stanzas, scenes, paragraphs, or sections — contributes to its meaning, style, and development of ideas

EnglishAges 11–14

Applying Spelling Rules to Complex Words

Spelling & Word Study

Spell correctly and consistently, applying the spelling patterns and rules from KS1-2 to increasingly complex vocabulary encountered in KS3 reading and subject-specific study

EnglishAges 11–14

Cohesion and Transitions Across Writing

Writing Composition

Use varied transitions, cohesive devices, and paragraph-linking strategies to create coherence across a whole piece of writing — including temporal transitions, causal connectives, and techniques for signalling shifts in argument, time, or setting

EnglishAges 11–14

Critical comparison across texts

Reading Comprehension

Make critical comparisons across texts — comparing themes, characters, settings, styles, or arguments in two or more works, including texts from different periods, genres, or cultures

EnglishAges 11–14

Developed Informational and Explanatory Writing

Writing Composition

Write informative and explanatory texts that examine a topic and convey ideas clearly — organising information logically with headings and formatting, developing the topic with relevant facts, definitions, details, and quotations, and using precise vocabulary

EnglishAges 11–14

Evaluating Arguments in Non-Fiction

Reading Comprehension

Evaluate arguments and claims in non-fiction texts — assess whether reasoning is sound, evidence is relevant and sufficient, distinguish between fact and opinion, and recognise bias, propaganda, and rhetorical techniques

EnglishAges 11–14

Figurative Language and Literary Devices

Reading Comprehension

Determine the meaning of figurative and connotative language in context, analyse the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, and identify literary devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, and irony

EnglishAges 11–14

Grammar for Effect

Grammar & Punctuation

Analyse the effectiveness and impact of grammatical features in texts read — understanding how authors make deliberate grammatical choices (sentence length, passive voice, fronted adverbials, listing) to create specific effects on the reader

EnglishAges 11–14

Literary and Language Terminology

Grammar & Punctuation

Discuss reading, writing, and spoken language with precise and confident use of linguistic and literary terminology — including terms for word classes, sentence types, clause types, literary devices, and text-level features

EnglishAges 11–14

Narrative Perspective and Unreliable Narrators

Reading Comprehension

Analyse point of view and narrative perspective — including first person, third person limited and omniscient, and unreliable narrator — and how the author's or narrator's perspective shapes the reader's understanding and creates effects such as suspense, irony, or humour

EnglishAges 11–14

Performing Scripts & Poetry

Speaking & Listening

Improvise, rehearse, and perform play scripts and poetry — using role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness, and action to generate language, explore meaning, and add impact to performance

EnglishAges 11–14

Persuasive Writing

Writing Composition

Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence — including introducing claims, acknowledging counterclaims, organising reasons logically, maintaining a formal style, and providing a concluding statement