English

Curriculum Intent

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 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.

Our curriculum links to the school values:

We Cooperate: Empowering 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, challenge, and innovate by fostering 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.

CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) - Jobs/Skills

• Law, Ethics & Social Justice – exploring morality, inequality, power, justice, and human rights across myths, Dickensian fiction, protest literature, and Victorian crime/medicine.

• Journalism, Media & Communications – analysing bias, framing, fake news, persuasive language, narrative control, and crafting speeches, articles, and letters.

• Creative Writing, Publishing & Storytelling – developing skills in narrative construction, monologue writing, retellings, description, and world-building.

• Performance, Drama & Oracy-Based Careers – expressive reading, debate, dramatic interpretation, and public speaking.

• Education, Social Care & Community Work – building empathy, understanding diverse voices, analysing moral dilemmas, and examining social responsibility.

• History, Archaeology & Cultural Heritage – exploring myths, Victorian society, historical inequality, medical history, and the evolution of storytelling.

• Medicine, Forensics & Health Sciences – investigating Victorian surgery, ethics, body-snatching, early forensics, and representations of the human body.

• Politics, Public Services & Civic Participation – engaging with protest movements, representation, power structures, and community voice.

• Linguistics, Translation & Interpreting – valuing multilingualism, analysing language patterns, symbolism, motifs, and archetypes across cultures.

• Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship – identifying misinformation, evaluating sources, understanding how narratives shape public belief and behaviour.

What our students say about English at KPHS:

"quote here" - Forename, KS3