English

Intent 

At Diss High School, our aim is to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing, and sophisticated communication. Through a rich and varied curriculum, we nurture confident, articulate, and thoughtful individuals who can express themselves with clarity, creativity, and purpose. 

We are committed to developing successful communicators, critical readers, and independent thinkers. By engaging with a wide range of texts across different time periods, cultures, and voices, our students gain a deeper understanding of the world and their place within it. We encourage them to: 

  • Read like writers, noticing how language works and how meaning is shaped 
  • Write like readers, crafting their own texts with intention and precision 
  • Speak like orators, using ambitious and sophisticated vocabulary to express complex ideas 

Our curriculum does more than prepare students for exams. It equips them with essential transferable skills—such as analysis, creativity, empathy, and effective communication—that are highly valued across many industries, from journalism and publishing to law, marketing, and beyond. 

We are especially passionate about building cultural capital. In our rural Norfolk setting, it is vital that students encounter diverse perspectives and voices. For example, Year 7 begins with Villainous Victorians and progresses to Poetry from Other Cultures, showing students how literature reflects, shapes, and challenges societies. This helps them understand the power of language and literature in sparking change and fostering empathy. 

The department includes at least two experienced Eduqas examiners, ensuring that our teaching is closely aligned with national standards and best practice. This expertise has directly contributed to consistently excellent outcomes. In 2025, our GCSE results were the highest since 2018, with: 

  • 74% of students achieving grade 4+ in both English Language and Literature 
  • 54% achieving grade 5+ in both subjects 

Implementation 

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge, skills, and confidence year on year. It develops the core areas of English: reading, writing, speaking, and listening, with regular opportunities to revisit and deepen understanding. 

  • Eduqas GCSE – At KS4, students follow the Eduqas exam board for both Language and Literature. The structure of the courses ensures accessibility for all learners while stretching the most able. Students are encouraged to develop a distinctive voice in creative writing and to engage critically with a wide variety of texts. 
  • AQA A Levels – At KS5, we offer two engaging pathways: 
    • AQA English Language and Literature – combining linguistic study with literature, ideal for students who enjoy both disciplines. 
    • AQA English Literature – providing a historicist overview, encouraging depth of analysis and exploration of texts in their social and political contexts. 

Classroom practice prioritises: 

  • Discussion and debate to foster curiosity and confidence 
  • Extended reading and writing to build depth and fluency 
  • Talk for Writing to strengthen literacy and structure 
  • Vocabulary development through Bedrock Learning, supporting success in English and across the wider curriculum 

Assessment is embedded throughout the curriculum. 

  • Students complete formal assessments each unit, with clear marking criteria and personalised targets for improvement. 
  • Progress is tracked carefully and used to inform lesson planning and tailored support. 
  • Students are encouraged to reflect on feedback and take ownership of their progress. 

Impact 

By the end of KS3, our students are well-prepared for the rigour of GCSE study. They have built academic resilience, the ability to read critically, and the skill to write for different audiences and purposes with precision and flair. 

Our outcomes demonstrate the strength of our approach: 

  • In 2025, 74% achieved grade 4+ and 54% achieved grade 5+ in both GCSE Language and Literature – our best results since 2018. 
  • Nationally, we are ranked: 
  • Top 12% for progress and attainment in A Level English Language and Literature 
  • Top 15% for progress in A Level English Literature 

At KS5, our A Level students continue to excel. Many progress to top universities, including those studying English at degree level. 

Our curriculum develops students who: 

  • Read independently and thoughtfully 
  • Write creatively and analytically with clarity and sophistication 
  • Speak with confidence and ambition 
  • Are ready to thrive beyond school, in higher education, the workplace, and their personal lives 

The success of our department is reflected not only in results but also in the genuine love of literature and language our students carry forward. 

Supporting Your Child at Home 

Parents and carers play a vital role in nurturing a passion for English. You can help by: 

  • Encouraging regular reading of fiction and non-fiction for pleasure 
  • Discussing books, stories, and characters together 
  • Talking about new vocabulary from Bedrock Learning 
  • Asking about their learning targets and next steps 
  • Playing word games like Scrabble, Boggle, and crosswords 

Useful websites: 

 

English Curriculum Overview 

Key Stage 3 English Unit Overview

KS4 Exam and Text information 

GCSE English Language (Eduqas) 

  • Component 1 – 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing (1h 45m, 40%) 
    • Section A – Reading comprehension and analysis of a 20th-century prose extract (20%) 
    • Section B – Creative writing task chosen from a set of prompts (20%) 
  • Component 2 – 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional Writing (2h, 60%) 
    • Section A – Reading two non-fiction extracts (19th and 21st century) (30%) 
    • Section B – Two transactional or persuasive writing tasks (30%) 
  • Component 3 – Spoken Language Assessment (non-exam) 
    • Individual presentation/speech with Q&A and feedback 

GCSE English Literature (Eduqas) 

  • Component 1 – Shakespeare and Poetry (2h, 40%) 
    • Section A – Shakespeare (extract and essay questions) 
      • Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth 
    • Section B – Poetry (1789–present) from the Eduqas Anthology 
      • Analysis of a specified poem and a comparative essay on another 
  • Component 2 – Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry (2h 30m, 60%) 
    • Section A – An Inspector Calls 
    • Section B – A Christmas Carol or The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 
    • Section C – Two unseen poems, including analysis and comparison 

KS4 Teaching and Assessment 

  • In-Class Assessment: Regular, timed assessments focus on specific GCSE skills. 
  • Mock Exams: Year 10 and Year 11 complete full mock exams under exam hall conditions. 
  • Feedback and Targets: Teachers work closely with students to set clear, actionable goals. 

Extended Writing and Homework Projects 

To prepare for GCSE exams, students complete extended writing projects each half-term. These tasks develop skills in structuring ideas for different audiences and purposes, including: 

  • Leaflets 
  • Web pages 
  • Reviews 
  • Speeches 
  • Letters 
  • Reports 
  • Debates 
  • Narratives 

Weekly homework supports these projects and may include research, comprehension, planning, essay writing, and exam revision. 

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