A programme built around nine thematic units, each pairing a rich variety of text types — from classic and contemporary fiction to poetry, travel writing, blogs and articles — with purposeful reading, writing and language work.
We use an active-learning approach in which every unit weaves together three parallel threads: exploration of diverse text types, creative and analytical content and skills, and a targeted language focus. Varied speaking and listening opportunities run throughout the course, building the confidence and craft students will carry into their IGCSE studies.
Units of Study
(The order and pace of units may change to suit the needs of our current students.)
Contemporary fiction; travel writing; poetry; novel
Summarise genre features; write a monologue; analyse a poem’s meaning; write a story
Sentence types; alliteration and sibilance; powerful verbs
Short story (science fiction)
Write a spoken drama; write informally; write a story with an unusual ending
Sentence openings; compound-complex sentences; formal and informal language
Contemporary fiction; informative article; film review
Write a section of a story; an article; a film review; speech writing
Direct speech; types of noun/adjective combinations
Flash fiction; haiku and imagist poetry; informative article; explanatory text; magazine article and interview
Write flash fiction; analyse a poem; write poems; write an interview
Time connectives; prefixes
Descriptive accounts; blogs; discussion article and account; contemporary fiction and drama
Write an account about school; write a letter; write a script
Connectives; colons
Thematic poetry; autobiographies; diary; persuasive speech
Justify poetry choices; write an account of family life and a monologue; analyse a letter; analyse language; write a poem and a speech
Rhythm and rhyme; voice; embedded clauses
Short story (fantasy)
Write about characters, events and settings; write a narrative piece and a brochure introduction; analyse character; write a diary entry; write about a theme
Word choice and order; voice and excitement
Contemporary fiction; informative article; classic fiction; thematic poetry; argument articles
Write a travel article; continue a story; write a poem about a city
Using punctuation; personification; related word forms; perspective
Contemporary fiction; informative article; classic fiction and poetry
Describe a sea snake; analyse characters; continue a story; analyse poetic language
Choosing words and phrases; poetic language
