English

Curriculum Intent

At The Lowry Academy the purpose of our English curriculum is to provide pupils with both the skills and the knowledge to access and interact successfully with the world around them. Taking our lead from the National Curriculum’s overall aims, we focus on reading (for pleasure, understanding and fluency), the use and understanding of vocabulary and the ability to write clearly and with real purpose. A high-quality English education allows students to become confident in expressing themselves as speakers, writers and interpreters of our information dense world. Ultimately, the success of our English curriculum can be measured by its continued relevance in relation to the constantly shifting times in which we live.

The Lowry Academy English department use four core concepts, in which we examine how the texts we study demonstrate the evolution of society throughout history: class, power, social justice & gender. We introduce each core concept in Year 7 through vocabulary and overall ideas, in Year 8 we build on this through the introduction of relevant social and historical contextual knowledge and ideologies. In Year 9, this culminates in the teaching of how to examine a text through a critical lens by creating “Big Ideas” to summarise the writer’s intention, which demonstrate how writers challenge or promote these established ideologies. These “Big Ideas” directly underpin the knowledge students will learn throughout the Key Stage 4 curriculum. We use these concepts as the vehicles to teach students how to read texts critically, core terminology and vocabulary, and how to become effective writers and confident orators.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

In English at Year 7, we welcome students to a world of words and exciting stories. Most importantly, in Year 7 students are introduced to our four core themes of power, class, gender and social justice.

Click here to view Year 7 Curriculum

Year 8

In English at Year 8, we build on the knowledge and skills introduced in Year 7. Most importantly, in Year 8 students will again encounter our four core themes of power, class, gender and social justice and further develop their critical understanding.

Click here to view Year 8 Curriculum

Year 9

In English at Year 9, we build on the knowledge and skills introduced in Year 8. Most importantly, in Year 9 students will again encounter our four core themes of power, class, gender and social justice and further develop their critical understanding.

Click here to view Year 9 Curriculum

Year 10

In Year 10 students begin their GCSE courses. In English Language they learn how to produce fictional and transactional writing and analyse writers’ use of language and structure to both entertain and persuade the reader. In Literature they learn how to analyse a text and understand writers’ ideas about the human condition.

Click here to view Year 10 Curriculum

Year 11

In Year 11 students continue their GCSE courses. In English Language they revise how to produce fictional and transactional writing and analyse writers’ use of language and structure to both entertain and persuade the reader. In Literature they learn how to analyse a text and understand writers’ ideas about the human condition.

Click here to view Year 11 Curriculum

Career Pathways
  • Journalist
  • Teacher
  • Freelance Writer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Paralegal
  • Publisher
  • Librarian
  • University Lecturer
  • Content Manager
  • Marketing Manager
Contact Information

You can contact our members of staff via Ask Lowry (ask.lowry@lowryacademy.org.uk).

  • Miss J Farrell, Head of English
  • Mrs R Aylward, Vice Principal (Quality of Education) & Teacher of English
  • Mr O Rocca, Assistant Head of  English 
  • Mrs K Joyce, KS4 Lead Teacher of English 
  • Mrs J Travis, Teacher of English & SEND Co-ordinator
  • Mrs S Swift, Teacher of English 
  • Miss S Furey, Teacher of English
  • Miss I Shackleton, Teacher of English
  • Mr B Shea, Trainee English Teacher

Curriculum
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