English will probably be taught in ability sets in KS3. The curriculum will be the same, but higher sets will be working at a higher level, while lower sets will be given more support.

Children will be working on a wide range of material, which could include:

• At least one play by Shakespeare
• English classic novels
• 20th century novels
• Contemporary novels
• Authors from different cultures
• Drama
• Poetry and ballads
• Journalism
• Advertisements and persuasive writing
• Travel writing
• Essays
• Diaries
• Play scripts
• Reviews
• Literature on film

In KS3, English is taught with a focus on:

• reading
• writing
• language
• speaking and listening

Reading

KS3 children are expected to be fluent, confident readers, so the emphasis now is on:

• reading for meaning
• understanding the author’s craft

Writing

In their written work, the children will be producing fiction and non-fiction, and concentrating on:

• planning and drafting
• presenting ideas logically and clearly
• precise and imaginative vocabulary
• using correct punctuation in sentences and speech
• structure and presentation
• how to edit, proofread and revise their work on screen and paper

Language

• How spoken English varies according to region or setting
• How English has developed over time
• How English is used in different contexts

Speaking and listening

• Listening to a talk or discussion and picking out the main ideas
• Thinking about ways of making their speech more interesting
• Contributing to group discussions
• Putting on performances, either independently or in groups, of improvised or scripted plays