Studying English at CHS South allows learners to be submersed in a vast array of texts that will challenge, inspire and excite them. We aim to provide students with the tools and knowledge needed to learn to appreciate the beauty of language through exploration of the writer’s craft. With a huge emphasis on creativity and the discovering and utilising of their voice, opinions and ideas are shared and developed through exploratory talk, which is an integral part of our curriculum.

We pride ourselves on our strong moral purpose to prepare students not only for the classroom, but for life beyond – offering opportunity upon opportunity to explore current topics, widening their understanding of the world in which they live. Sharing our passion for this subject helps to ignite a passion for reading, writing and all things English related in our students to foster a love of English. Some incredibly challenging texts and concepts are explored through accessible and relatable thematic links, pushing students to think outside of the box and develop their own blossoming opinions on the written word.

We aim to inspire, to challenge and to help develop happy, creative and successful learners through our expertly planned, colourful curriculum.

The Key Stage 3 English curriculum is designed to develop students as confident readers, writers and critical thinkers through exposure to a wide range of literary forms, historical contexts and viewpoints. Across Years 7–9, students encounter increasingly complex ideas about identity, power, morality and humanity, while building the analytical and communication skills needed for their further studies.

In Year 7, students develop creativity and narrative skills through adventure writing and explore ideas of control, identity and society in The Giver and culture and identity poetry. Shakespeare is introduced through The Tempest, developing understanding of conflict, power and dramatic conventions. Non-fiction and Sawbones further encourage students to analyse viewpoints, explore important context and moral issues. 

In Year 8, students explore power, persuasion and influence through non-fiction, Animal Farm and Julius Caesar. Themes of propaganda, conflict and authority are reinforced through power and peace poetry, while thriller writing and current affairs units help students connect language study to audience and contemporary issues.

By Year 9, students engage with more complex ideas in preparation for GCSE. Persuasion and viewpoint study develops critical thinking and communication, while Dracula, possession and obsession poetry, and Shakespearean tragedy explore fear, humanity, conflict and the consequences of power.

In Key Stage 4, students build on the analytical, creative and critical skills developed at Key Stage 3 while preparing for GCSE English Language and Literature. In Year 10, students revisit themes of power, conflict and human nature through Lord of the Flies, linking to earlier study of society and control in The Giver and Animal Farm. Exploration of AQA Language Papers 1 and 2 develops students’ reading, writing and transactional skills first introduced through KS3 non-fiction and viewpoint study. Jekyll and Hyde extends students’ understanding of Gothic conventions and humanity developed through Dracula, while love and relationships poetry builds on earlier thematic poetry study. Shakespeare study culminates in Macbeth, drawing together recurring KS3 themes of ambition, power and tragedy first explored in Julius Caesar and Shakespearean tragedy units. Unseen poetry further develops students’ confidence in analysing language, structure and interpretation independently.

In Year 11, students consolidate and refine the knowledge and skills developed throughout Years 10 and 11 through targeted revision and exam preparation, enabling them to approach GCSE examinations with confidence and independence.

Our students can extend their love of English beyond the classroom through:

• Creative Writing Club

• Debate and Public Speaking Competitions

• Theatre and Literature Trips

• Book Clubs and Reading Challenges

• Poetry Workshops and National Writing Competitions

• Encourage regular reading at home – both fiction and non-fiction.

• Discuss books, films, and current events to build analytical thinking.

• Support your child with learning spellings, grammar, and new vocabulary.

• Encourage clear communication through speaking, debating, or presenting.

• Provide a quiet space and time for reading, writing, and homework.

• Support attendance at revision sessions, theatre trips, or extra-curricular clubs.

• A Level English Literature / English Language

• Media Studies / Film Studies

• University degrees in Literature, Creative Writing, Journalism, Media, Law, and more

Studying English at CHS South empowers students to explore, question, and express themselves - developing language and confidence that lasts a lifetime.