English

Curriculum Intent

At Nottingham Academy, our English curriculum is designed to inspire and educate our students daily. We offer a broad and diverse range of activities to motivate all students, ensuring they believe in their ability to achieve success regardless of their cultural, social, and emotional needs.

Our English team has carefully selected topics, considering our demographic and emphasising the importance of challenge and cultural capital. Our ultimate goal is to encourage students to understand and embody the respect values of our Academy through a love for English.

Our curriculum includes a diverse selection of both modern and pre-1900 texts, encompassing plays, poetry, novels, and modern media. This variety encourages students to discuss and develop their own critical interpretations. We aim for students to develop critical thinking skills and be inspired to further their study of English, deepening their understanding of the cultural and social issues that impact our modern world.

Reading: We explore an array of quality novels, plays, and poems throughout the students' time at the Academy. This approach fosters a love for reading while equipping students with the skills to become critical thinkers, knowledgeable about the world around them, and capable of analysing a variety of texts and situations.

Writing: Our objective is to develop confident writers who can plan and produce effective pieces of creative and functional writing suitable for various genres, forms, and purposes. We aim for students to utilise a full range of language techniques to describe, argue, inform, persuade, and entertain readers.

Oracy: Recognising the value of oracy in English and everyday life, we incorporate numerous opportunities for students to work independently or collaboratively to present ideas to an audience. This practice builds confidence and character while preparing them for their final Speaking and Listening exam in Year 11.

At Nottingham Academy, our goal is to inspire students to become enthusiastic, motivated, and confident readers, writers, and speakers. Our varied and dynamic curriculum is designed to ensure that all students leave our Academy with memorable experiences in English and grades they can be proud of.

Adaptations for students with SEND needs include differentiated instruction and resources tailored to diverse learning requirements. We incorporate visual aids, interactive activities, and technology to enhance understanding and engagement. Regular assessments and personalised feedback ensure all students know more, remember more, and do more. By focusing on these principles, we aim to ensure every student can excel and thrive in English, gaining a deeper understanding, retaining knowledge effectively, and applying it confidently.