English
‘If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others; read a lot and write a lot.’
Stephen King (writer)
Our underlying aim is to foster a love of literature and to develop confident writers and speakers. We encourage all our pupils to engage with all aspects of English from classic literature to modern media.
We believe it is of paramount importance that all our students are exposed to the highest quality of challenging texts whilst they are studying at Bredon Hill Academy. We firmly believe that each student needs to “read as a writer and write as a reader”.
We focus upon how each writer develops their unique voice and how this voice then echoes down the centuries, inspiring others. Grammar, spelling and punctuation are taught within each text and learning groups carefully explore each writer’s choice.
Through our curriculum, pupils:
- study a breadth of texts from a range of time periods;
- adopt a thematic approach to their studies (Year 6 Journeys, Year 7 Friendships, Year 8 Conflict);
- are encouraged and inspired to be proficient writers across a range of text types;
- develop as confident orators.
Curriculum Overview
Year 6 : Journeys
- ‘Time Travelling with a Hamster'
- 'The Final Year'
- Atmospheric Journeys/SATs
- 'Holes'
Year 7 : Friendship
- ‘Rise of the Shadow Dragons'
- 'Beowulf'
- Relationship Poetry
- 'White Poppies'
- Presenting Viewpoints
Year 8 : Conflict
- ‘Five Children on the Western Front’
- Conflict Poetry
- 'The Tempest'
- The Power of Rhetoric
- 'A Brave New World'
Additional Learning Opportunities
- Brand New Library
- Touch typing
- Book Buzz
- Writing Competitions
- ‘Reading for Good’ sponsored event once every three years
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Tutor Time Reading Programme
- World Book Day competitions
- Theatre visits, online author events and drama workshops
- Handwriting Club
- Literacy Gold
- The Lightning Squad
Useful Links
- www.spellingframe.co.uk (year 6 are provided with logins in their learning journals)
- www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zv48q6f (year 6)
- www.educationquizzes.com/ks2/english/ (year 6)
- www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2literacy.html?scrlybrkr=2b65bf2c (year 6)
- https://www.rsc.org.uk/learn/young-people (Shakespeare resources)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv (Year 7 & 8 revision)
- https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ (Reading Ideas and Information for all students)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z4hrt39 (Grammar 7 & 8)
- https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/ (Every Child can be a Reader)
Last Updated: January 2026