Our Philosophy
The English department’s philosophy is to create and deliver a coherently planned and sequenced concept-driven curriculum, that enables all of our students to leave Baines with the confidence and resilience to effectively communicate both across school, in their future studies and the wider world beyond. Throughout Key Stage 3 and 4, students will be exposed to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts which will allow them to foster a love of the subject. We encourage our students to think critically and with independence, to appreciate the importance of values, both British and universal. In an ever-changing world, the importance of fluent written and spoken English and being immersed in texts from a diverse range of authors is crucial, and it is essential that we develop this through an effective English Curriculum.
The English Curriculum at Baines follows the National Curriculum, taking the core elements of poetry, prose and drama as the basis for the units of work. We expose our students to a variety of increasingly challenging texts from diverse cultures, and explore themes such as race, gender and marginalised voices, in particular in our unit ‘Powerful Voices’. We also celebrate literary heritage, and encourage an engagement with literary contexts such as the Victorian, Edwardian and Elizabethan era, and looking into possible futures with dystopian fiction. Our English team have a shared vision of making our English lessons enjoyable, inspiring and grounded in shared real-life experiences.
From Year 7, students at Baines are building on the foundations of the primary curriculum. They are actively encouraged to develop their close reading skills so that they can confidently and methodically break down and analyse meaning in texts, which include fiction and non-fiction by 19th, 20th and 21st Century writers. We aim to empower students by encouraging different writing styles and to craft their written work considering the use of the most effective vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. They will produce written work for a variety of purposes and audiences and be aware of the effect on the reader.
Opportunities have been created for students to debate and discuss their ideas through a range of group and individual presentations, as well as performing scripts, reading aloud and delivering speeches in Key Stage 4 as part of their GCSE English Language. We believe that exposure to a range of opportunities builds confidence and helps them to develop their verbal communication skills.
Key Stage 4 English at Baines prepares students for the rigours and the demands of both GCSE English Language (EDUQAS) and GCSE English Literature (AQA). We teach beyond the specification requirements to ensure that students are building on the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during Key Stage 3. The aim is to continue to broaden their knowledge of literary texts, particularly Shakespeare, and have a greater appreciation of poetry and themes using the AQA ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster, the pre-1900 novella ‘A Christmas Carol’, and study the play ‘An Inspector Calls’. Students are encouraged to share their opinions of the texts that they study and develop their critical thinking skills. Through their study of the English Language GCSE, students are encouraged to understand how language is used by writers to persuade, inform and advise by studying a breadth of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students are encouraged to proofread and edit work, craft their writing, be lively and creative and to challenge themselves linguistically. The English department runs a number of writing competitions throughout the year to foster a love of creative writing and to celebrate excellence.
The English team place an importance on extra-curricular activities and an extremely successful journalism club produces the well-received ‘Baines Buzz’. There are strong links with the school’s ILC (Independent Learning Centre), in which students access the library books available and use SPARX reader in Year 7 and 8. Theatre trips, such as experiencing ‘An Inspector Calls’, bring texts to life for the students. Visiting authors such as Tom Palmer, and local poet and inspirational speaker Nathan Parker, allow our students to engage with, and learn from, professional writers. We continue to strengthen our links with local sixth forms and colleges and organise mastery sessions providing students with an insight into English at Key Stage 5.
Our Curriculum
Year 7 | Term 1 | School Life: Transition Unit Non-fiction writing to advise, autobiographical writing and character development in ‘Boy’ by Roald Dahl. Gothic Tales: The study of setting and character through a focused study of the genre. A study of ‘Dracula’ or ‘Frankenstein’. |
Term 2 | Shakespeare and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: A focus on the theme of love and how Shakespeare presents relationships between men and women. An exploration of how characters and themes are developed. | |
Term 3 | Heroes and Villains: Literary and non-fiction heroes and villains and links to characters in previous units of work. Classical heroes and villains such as ‘Beowulf and Grendel’ to be studied. | |
Year 8 | Term 1 | Who the Dickens were the Victorians? The study of the Victorian era exploring themes such as poverty and social class using classical tales from Charles Dickens such as ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Hard Times’ and Oliver Twist’. Non-fiction texts from the era such as letters and articles to be studied. Science Fiction and Dystopia: From the traditional tales of Dickens to the futuristic. Discussions and debates about modern technology, a range of dystopian texts studied such as ‘War of the Worlds’ and a focus on building tension. |
Term 2 | Powerful Voices: The study of voices of others through poetry, speeches, autobiographical writing and fiction. Themes such as race, identity, gender, mental health, family and isolation are discussed. A focus on the art of rhetoric and techniques used to find a voice and be heard. | |
Term 3 | Exploration and Adventure: A focus on non-fiction travel writing. | |
Year 9 | Term 1 | War and Conflict: An anthology of poetry and speeches considering perspectives of those at war and those affected by war and conflict. A study of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and a focus on character development. |
Term 2 | The Art of Deduction: The study of the conventions of the crime and mystery genre through ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ and poetry and non-fiction. | |
Term 3 | ‘A Christmas Carol’: The study of Dicken’s novella, plot and character development, key themes such as poverty and social responsibility, family and the supernatural. | |
Year 10 | Term 1 | ‘Romeo and Juliet’: The study of Shakespeare’s play, plot and character development, key themes such as family, conflict, love and honour. ‘Power and Conflict’ poetry: Literature study with a comparison focus. |
Term 2 | Unseen Poetry: Literature study of a variety of poems throughout the years and comparison of key ideas. ‘An Inspector Calls’: The study of Priestley’s play, plot and character development, key themes such as family, social responsibility and abuse of power. | |
Term 3 | ‘A Christmas Carol’ and revision: Cumulative literature study and recall. Spoken Language and oracy skills: The Art of Rhetoric | |
Year 11 | Term 1 | Language Paper 1 – Creative Writing ShapeLanguage Paper 1 – Reading (fiction) |
Term 2 | Language Paper 2 – Reading (non-fiction) ShapeLanguage Paper 2 – Transactional Writing (non-fiction) | |
Term 3 | Revision and closing the gaps |
Assessment
The English department assesses students in both Key Stage 3 and 4 in a variety of ways. Throughout each unit of work their knowledge is recalled through low-stakes quizzing, use of Seneca for independent study to check retention of knowledge, and cold calling questioning. Written work is modelled using the ‘I do, we do, you do approach’ and scaffolding is given when necessary in order to allow students to maximise their learning. Over the course of each academic year in Key Stage 3, students are assessed in reading and writing skills which culminate in end of year examinations. In Key Stage 4, walk throughs of question stems, walk talking mocks, end of topic assessments which culminate in the final formal examinations. Feedback is given verbally, written in books and through whole class feedback.
The English department work closely with the SENDCo and the Student Support team to ensure additional support is provided and the needs of the students are met. Additional booster support classes are led by members of the English department afterschool and during tutor time, when necessary.

Rewards:
KS3
The English team will award positive points on synergy. Those students who excel with regards to effort and/or attainment in lessons will be awarded golden tickets and further positive points will be awarded on synergy.
KS4
LITBEAT is awarded to Year 10 students on a weekly basis specifically for English Literature. These points are awarded on synergy and they are for Learning, Independent study, Tenacity, Behaviour, Effort, Attendance and progress towards Target.
UPBEAT is awarded to Year 11 students on a weekly basis. These points are awarded on synergy and they are for Uniform, Punctuality, Behaviour, Effort, Attendance and progress towards Target.
How will we support our students?
We run a supportive independent learning club with the laptops booked every Monday lunchtime in N12. Students will have access to SPARX reader and Seneca for both Key Stage 3 and 4. There is also a Key Stage 4 revision club on Tuesday lunchtimes in N21 where students have access to resources to help them to organise their revision. On Tuesday, after school interventions are run by the English team to support students in Key Stage 4.
Names of staff, roles & contact details
Mr S Davies
Subject Leader of English
sds@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs C Davies
Assistant Subject leader of English
ECF Induction Tutor and ITT Professional Mentor
cds@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs K Streetly
Teacher of English, Leader of Literacy, Assistant Headteacher
kst@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs S Russell
Teacher of English, Year 7 Progress Leader
sru@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs R Davies
Teacher of English
rda@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Miss B Dunstan
Year 7 Transition Lead
Teacher of English
bdu@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs H Gibson
Teacher of English
hgi@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Miss R Addenbrooke
Head of Performing Arts
Teacher of English
rad@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs A Spencer
Deputy Head
Teacher of English
asp@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs S Kalinski
Teacher of English
ska@baines.lancs.sch.uk
Resources

Last updated January 2025