Departments
English
All pupils and students at Hagley Catholic High School follow a taught course of English. The Department is made up by ten specialist teachers who are fully committed to the education of the pupils:
- Mrs E Barrett - Subject Leader of English ebarrett@emmausmac.com
- Miss R Mason - Assistant Subject Lead with responsibility for KS3 and A level English Literature - rmason@emmausmac.com
- Mrs L Clements - Assistant Subject Leader of English with KS4 / A Level Language responsibility - lclements@emmausmac.com
- Miss B Arnott - Teacher of English with responsibility for the Extended Project Qualification - barnott@emmausmac.com
- Mrs N Hackett - Assistant Principal: DSL and Inclusion; Teacher of English - nhackett@emmausmac.com
- Mrs K Morris - Vice Principal, Director of Sixth Form, Teacher of English - kmorris@emmausmac.com
- Mrs M Aitken-Lomax - Head of Year, Teacher of English with responsibility for whole-school literacy - mlomax@emmausmac.com
- Mrs C Fitzpatrick - Teacher of English - cfitzpatrick@emmausmac.com
- Mrs R Winters - Teacher of English - rwinters@emmausmac.com
- Mrs E Lawson - Teacher of English - elawson@emmausmac.com
To view the curriculum mapping document for the department please click the link below. If you have any queries then please contact the Subject Leader.
Subject Overview
Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

During the year, pupils will be assessed on their written skills, reading comprehension and spoken English tasks.
At the end of the year, pupils will be assessed by a reading and writing exam in class, in addition to ongoing assessments of written skills, reading comprehension and spoken English tasks.
W = writing assessment R = reading assessment SpE = Spoken English assessment.
Key Stage 4
English Language & English Literature
AQA GCSE English Language and Literature course overview
GCSE English Language
Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing: 1 hr 45mins, 50% of GCSE Language
Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives: 1 hr 45mins, 50 % of GCSE Language
GCSE English Literature
Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel: 1hr 45mins, 40% of GCSEÂ Literature
Paper 2 Modern Texts and Poetry: 2hrs 15 mins, 60% of GCSE Literature
NEA: spoken Language
The texts studied at GCSE and suggested study
Students are advised to purchase their own copies of their set text and also study guides to help support their studies. We would recommend the Oxford edition for the set text and either York Notes or CGP for a suitable study guide.
- Shakespeare - Macbeth
- 19th Century Novel - A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens
- Modern Text - An Inspector Calls, Lord of the Flies or AQA Short Stories
- AQA Poetry Anthology - Love and relationships or Power and Conflict
Year 10
Autumn
GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Macbeth
GCSE English Language Paper 2: Persuasive writing
NEA Speaking and Listening
Spring
GCSE English Literature Paper 2: An Inspector Calls, Short Stories or Lord of the Flies
GCSE English Language Paper 1: Writing to describe/narrate
Summer
GCSE English Language Paper 1: Mock preparation
GCSE Lit Paper 2: PoetryÂ
Year 11
English Literature Paper 2 (Poetry)
English Language Paper 2 for the PiXL mock
Revisit and revision of all papers.
Key Stage 5
English Language
What you study
Paper 1: Language the individual and Society 2hrs 30 minutes
Paper 2: Language diversity and Change 2hrs 30 minutes
Non-Exam Assessment (Language Investigation and Original Writing)
How you study
You will study English Language through class teaching. There will also be individual investigation of texts with teacher support and guidance. There is plenty of opportunity to discuss issues and ideas and you will be expected to connect this with your experience of language and research by linguists. You will be expected to carry out wider reading and to complete tasks independently.
English Language will enable you to:
- experience and respond to a range of texts through discussion, analysis and creative writing
- explore how purpose, audience and context impact upon language
- use linguistic methods to investigate a variety of texts and apply these within your own work.
Progression To University
English Language can lead to a wide range of options when you progress to university including English degrees, Teaching and Journalism.
Effective communication and articulation of ideas are both essential work skills and highly valued by employers.
GCSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 - 4 including Language at grade 6.
A-Level English Literature
AQA A Level English Literature Specification A (7712)
What You Study
The students will study a range of texts from different contexts and belonging to different genres. Texts in the first year will range from William Shakespeare’s Othello to Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and in the final year from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar named Desire to Sylvia Plath’s Ariel.
How You Study
The teachers will devise a range of activities to facilitate learning and this is based on students working independently inside and outside of the classroom. The critical reading of English Literature texts, beyond the set examination texts, will enhance the opportunity for students to develop their understanding of writers’ methods, the basis for success in English Literature.
Visits to the theatre for the study of the interpretation of texts are organised although students should, where possible, visit the theatre, art galleries, cinema and participate in other cultural opportunities as they arise.
The English department provides challenge and aims to develop confident, independent and reflective readers of a range of texts. The ability to self-reflect and approach texts with an open mind will challenge student preconceptions and the ways in which texts can be read.
Progression To University
Success in studying English at university can lead to a variety of careers, not least in Law, Finance, Teaching and Media. Students trained to work independently, to think carefully, and to argue points of view succinctly and with precision are always in demand.
GCSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Given the very demanding works of literature that must be studied independently, a grade 6 in English Literature would provide the basis for success
Useful Links
KS3:
BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z3kw2hv
Education quizzes: http://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/english/
Suggested reading list for Year 9 pupils: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-9-pupils-ks3-age-13-14/
Suggested reading list for Year 8 pupils: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-8-pupils-ks3-age-12-13/
Suggested reading list for Year 7 Pupils: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-7-pupils-ks2-age-11-12/
GCSE
BBC Bitesize Literature: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/examspecs/zxqncwx
BBC Bitesize Language: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/examspecs/zcbchv4
Sparknotes: www.sparknotes.com
Shmoop: www.shmoop.com
Lit Charts: www.litcharts.com
A Level Literature:
British Library ‘Discovering Literature’: https://www.bl.uk/discovering-literature
Sparknotes: www.sparknotes.com
Shmoop: www.shmoop.com
Lit Charts: www.litcharts.com
A Level Language:
English Language Blog: http://englishlangsfx.blogspot.co.uk/
Here's some links to resources for A Level Language: