Y7 Curriculum Update

This half term, Y7 have continued their work on understanding character and characterisation. They began work on their first Forensic Reading module, looking at the novel Jane Eyre and considering how Brontë creates various characters within the opening chapters. Particular focus was placed on Jane’s ordeal in the infamous “red room”. Following this, the class have returned to the novel Orbiting Jupiter. They have mapped the development of the central character and considered how aspects of this are shown to the reader and not told.

Y8 Curriculum Update

This half term, Y8 began their next unit of work, looking at poetry on the theme of identity. They explored a series of key texts, looking at poetic technique and how writer’s craft meaning in this context. The texts selected have allowed for discussion of key issues such as race, affluence and our place in the world. Through studying these texts, they have gained vital skills in reading and responding to poetic texts, which can sometimes be more tricky than prose. In addition to their classwork, the students have also completed a guided reading module on The Book Thief for their Forensic Reading work. Everyone did an excellent job of linking their humanities knowledge to the text and many of the classes decided to keep reading the novel as their class text.

Y9 Curriculum Update

Y9 began the term looking at their next Forensic Reading text, which was Kamala Harris’ inauguration speech. They have carefully and precisely analysed the language used here and learned a lot about American politics in the process. Interestingly, a lot of the students were surprised to find out she is 58 years old! Following on from this, the students have begun a unit of work linked to the theme of Power and Conflict that focuses on poetry which depicts conflict around the world and across time. They have studied some pre-19^th century texts as well as looking at more modern conflicts in our current times.