English

Introduction

At KPHS, the English Department is committed to equipping all students with the vital skills of reading, writing, and oracy, enabling them to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Through access to a broad and diverse range of high-quality fiction and non-fiction texts, we nurture a love of reading that transcends the classroom and continues throughout life. Our curriculum seeks to inspire empathy, foster understanding of others, and broaden students’ perspectives of the world, empowering them to grow into well-rounded, compassionate individuals. 

We want our students to see themselves in the books they read and the experiences they share. We firmly believe in the transformative power of the written and spoken word. Literature and language are not only mirrors of humanity but also tools that shape it.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to enable students to understand, question, critique, and create the rules, stories, and patterns that govern literature and society. By mastering English through the curriculum, our students gain the power to decode the conventions of shared language, history, art, and culture while developing the confidence to challenge, reshape, and innovate based on the knowledge they acquire.

At the heart of our intent is the belief that all students, regardless of their starting point, have the potential to succeed and thrive within a global community. The curriculum equips them to engage with the voices of others meaningfully and to harness the power of their own voice. Our students become curious, rigorous, and critical thinkers, armed with a rich and versatile vocabulary and the ability to communicate with precision, creativity, and flair. They will leave KPHS not only as skilled communicators but also as individuals ready to compete in a challenging employment landscape and contribute thoughtfully to society.

Through this vision, the KPHS English Department aims to inspire students to grow into the very best versions of themselves, prepared for a future where they can navigate and shape their world with confidence and competence.  

How English Supports Our School Values

We Co-operate
Our curriculum empowers students to engage with others thoughtfully and respectfully by developing the communication skills, 
empathy, and understanding needed to collaborate effectively. Through discussion, debate, and shared exploration of texts, students learn the value of cooperation in both academic and real-world contexts. 

We Pioneer
Encouraging students to question and develop new ways of thinking, challenge. We aim for them to foster critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. The curriculum inspires them to explore new ideas, push boundaries, and use their knowledge to create compelling, 
original writing and perspectives that shape the future. 

We Belong
Ensuring all students feel valued and included by celebrating diverse voices and perspectives in literature. The curriculum helps students develop a strong sense of self and connection to their local and global communities, empowering them to contribute meaningfully and confidently to the world around them. 

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in English

Studying English develops critical thinking, communication, creativity, and analytical skills. It helps students understand human behaviour, society, and culture, while also equipping them with strong reading, writing, and interpretative abilities—skills that are highly valued across many careers.

Career Areas Linked to English:

• Journalism, Media & Communications – analysing bias, framing, narrative, and persuasive language across fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
• Law, Politics & Social Justice – exploring power, responsibility, inequality, and moral accountability through texts like Macbeth and A Christmas Carol.
• Creative Writing & Publishing – developing storytelling, descriptive writing, transactional writing, poetry analysis, and structured argument.
• Drama, Theatre & Performance – building skills in script interpretation, characterisation, spoken language, monologue delivery, and dramatic analysis.
• Teaching, Education & Training – modelling communication, critical thinking, argument construction, and interpretation skills for learners of all ages.

For more information about careers linked to English, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/cr0r5883rj8t