English Literature

Rationale

Stories, plays and poetry give pupils access to lives, ideas and experiences beyond their own. At The John Wallis Church of England Academy, English Literature invites pupils to explore how writers have represented people, relationships, conflict, identity and society across different times and cultures.

Pupils study a rich range of literary texts and learn to read them with increasing depth and independence. They consider how writers shape meaning through language, form and structure, while also exploring the historical, social and cultural contexts in which texts were written and received.

Literature encourages pupils to question, interpret and debate. There is rarely only one way to read a text, and pupils are taught to develop thoughtful personal responses, test their ideas against evidence and engage seriously with alternative interpretations.

Through sustained reading and discussion, pupils build cultural knowledge, empathy and confidence. English Literature helps them to understand the enduring power of language and equips them to engage thoughtfully with complex ideas, both within the classroom and beyond it.

Aims

In English Literature, pupils will:

• read a wide range of challenging literary texts with confidence and enjoyment

• explore novels, plays and poetry from different periods and traditions

• develop thoughtful and well-supported interpretations of texts

• analyse how writers use language, form and structure to create meaning

• consider how context can deepen understanding of a literary work

• explore character, theme, setting and relationships in depth

• compare ideas, perspectives and methods across texts

• select and use textual evidence effectively

• engage with different interpretations and justify their own viewpoints

• discuss literature with confidence, precision and openness

• develop a rich literary vocabulary and increasingly sophisticated written responses

• recognise how literature can illuminate human experience, society and culture.