Full pathway
KS3 English, stage by stage
Nine stages in a deliberate order, covering all 25 English objectives with films, marked checks and real papers.
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English
Your progress
0 of 36 lessons finished · 0 of 25 objectives secure
36 films120 marked checks3 marked papers
Choosing English as your main subject puts this pathway first on your home page. Everything else in your plan stays exactly as it is.
Stage 1
Reading widely and the literary heritage
Build the reading habit and meet the literary heritage before close analysis begins.
- Building a reading dietRead a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, including whole books and plays, and texts from the English literary heritageFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Why Shakespeare and world literature still matterRead and appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage through the study of Shakespeare, seminal world literature and poetry since 1789Film3 marked checks28 min
- Reading with context in mindDraw on knowledge of the purpose, audience for and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongsFilm3 marked checks25 min
Stage 2
Grammar, vocabulary and Standard English
Grammar and vocabulary you will use in every later stage.
- Analysing challenging texts with grammarExtend and apply the grammatical knowledge set out in English Appendix 2 to analyse more challenging textsFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Growing your vocabulary from readingDraw on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and use these consciously in their writing and speechFilm3 marked checks22 min
- Spoken English versus written EnglishKnow and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of EnglishFilm3 marked checks25 min
Stage 3
Reading to writing: stories that change minds
The core unit: read closely, analyse method, then write and redraft your own article.
- The evidence trail: retrieval and inferenceUnderstand increasingly challenging texts, making inferences and referring to evidence in the textFilm3 marked checks28 min
- How language and structure steer a readerRead critically, knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaningFilm3 marked checks30 min
- Compare two viewpoints fairlyCompare and contrast the treatment of themes and viewpoints across two or more textsFilm3 marked checks30 min
- Sentence craft: control pace and emphasisUse a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuationFilm3 marked checks28 min
- Plan for purpose and audienceWrite for a wide range of purposes and audiences, selecting and organising ideas and information appropriatelyFilm3 marked checks26 min
- Draft an article that earns trustWrite accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information, including well-structured formal expository and narrative essaysFilm3 marked checks34 min
- Edit like a reader, proof-read like a detectiveAmend the vocabulary, grammar and structure of their writing to improve its coherence and overall effectivenessFilm3 marked checks30 min
Stage 4
Poetry and language analysis
Poetic conventions, imagery and a personal response to poems across time.
- Imagery and sound in poetryAnalyse how writers use language for effectFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Structure and formDiscuss the effect of structure and formFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Form, structure and poetic conventionRecognise a range of poetic conventions and understand how these have been usedFilm3 marked checks28 min
- Your reading, and other people'sMake an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these responsesFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Romantic poetry: nature, imagination and changeRead a wide range of poetry, including representative Romantic poetry, to develop the habit of reading widely and oftenFilm3 marked checks35 min
Stage 5
Shakespeare and dramatic craft
Shakespeare's language, character and context — and a scene performed aloud.
- Unlocking Shakespeare's languageRead and appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage through the study of Shakespeare, seminal world literature and poetry since 1789Film4 marked checks30 min
- Character, conflict and the shape of a playStudy setting, plot and characterisation, and the effects of these on the readerFilm4 marked checks32 min
- Context and stagecraft: writing for a real audienceDraw on knowledge of the purpose, audience for and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongsFilm4 marked checks28 min
- Rehearse and perform: making a scene landImprovise, rehearse and perform play scripts and poetry in order to generate language and discuss language use and meaning, using role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness and action to add impactFilm4 marked checks26 min
Stage 6
The nineteenth-century novel
A whole nineteenth-century story, its context, and a GCSE-style critical essay.
- Reading a whole nineteenth-century storyRead a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, including whole books and plays, and texts from the English literary heritageFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Setting, plot and characterisation under pressureStudy setting, plot and characterisation, and the effects of these on the readerFilm4 marked checks32 min
- Social and historical context in the novelDraw on knowledge of the purpose, audience for and context of the writing, including its social, historical and cultural context and the literary tradition to which it belongsFilm4 marked checks28 min
- Your critical response: a GCSE-style essayMake an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible and evaluating these responsesFilm4 marked checks34 min
Stage 7
Spoken language and academic voice
Register, formal speaking, debate and ambitious vocabulary that actually works.
- Register: spoken and written EnglishKnow and understand the differences between spoken and written language, including differences associated with formal and informal registers, and between Standard English and other varieties of EnglishFilm4 marked checks26 min
- Speaking confidently in formal contextsSpeak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contextsFilm4 marked checks26 min
- Formal debate: building on what has been saidParticipate in formal debates and structured discussions, summarising and/or building on what has been saidFilm4 marked checks30 min
- From reading into writing: ambitious vocabulary that worksDraw on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and use these consciously in their writing and speechFilm4 marked checks28 min
Stage 8
Crafting and controlling writing
Pull it together: planning, formality and full-length academic writing.
- Plan, draft, edit, proof-readPlan, draft, edit and proof-read, considering how their writing reflects the audiences and purposes for which it was intendedFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Choosing the right level of formalityConsciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to useFilm3 marked checks22 min
- Vocabulary and sentence variety for effectUse a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuationFilm3 marked checks25 min
- Writing formal essays that build an argumentWrite formal and academic essays as well as personal and creative writing, summarising and organising material, and supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detailFilm3 marked checks28 min
Stage 9
Speaking, listening and performance
Performance and presentation, ready for the marked papers.
- Speaking confidently in Standard EnglishSpeak confidently and effectively, using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contextsFilm3 marked checks22 min
- Performing play scripts and poetryImprovise, rehearse and perform play scripts and poetry in order to generate language and discuss language use and meaning, using role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness and action to add impactFilm3 marked checks28 min
Just Year 8?
The Year 8 English pathway
Five shorter stages covering only the Year 8 objectives, taught with GCSE-style questions — ideal as a main subject alongside the money and history pathways.
When you finish a stage
Marked papers and the objective grid
The English papers mark comprehension, grammar and writing against a clear rubric, and every lesson above reports into the same 25-objective grid.