English
What is English?
English is the study of language and literature, explored through novels, plays, poetry, and non-fiction texts. Students analyse, debate, and critically evaluate both classic and contemporary works, considering how writers shape meaning and influence readers. Alongside this, they develop their own voice, engaging in discussion and purposeful talk, and crafting their own fiction and non-fiction writing with increasing confidence and control.
Why do we teach English at HAWI?
Engaging with literature and a wide range of written and spoken texts enables students to explore worlds beyond their own experience and to deepen their understanding of what it means to be human. At HAWI, we aim to nurture a lifelong love of reading through a curriculum that balances rich literary heritage texts with modern and thought-provoking voices. Across Key Stages 3–5, students encounter challenging texts and ideas which invite them to grapple with themes such as power, identity, conflict, morality and social responsibility.
Through carefully sequenced units, students develop their understanding of how writers reflect and shape the political, social and cultural contexts in which they write. While our curriculum draws strongly on influential and canonical works, we also create deliberate opportunities—through poetry, protest literature and thematic study—for students to encounter a broader range of perspectives and experiences. This equips students with powerful knowledge that enables them to think critically, engage with differing viewpoints and develop empathy.
By deepening students’ knowledge of literature, language and the wider world, we empower them to question the society they are part of and to express their own ideas with increasing confidence, precision and sophistication.
How do we teach English at HAWI?
Across the key stages, our curriculum is shaped by ‘Big Questions’ which guide students’ thinking as their knowledge of literature and language develops. At Key Stage 3, these questions are unified by an overarching theme for each year, enabling students to make meaningful connections between the texts and ideas they encounter. The themes—Year 7: Exploring Different Voices; Year 8: Conflict and Change; and Year 9: Power—allow students to situate their learning within broader conceptual frameworks, while also preparing them for the disciplinary demands and conceptual complexity of Key Stage 4.
Our curriculum is underpinned by four threshold concepts: Layers of Language, Authorial Intent, Structure, and Punctuation, Grammar and Vocabulary. These concepts are revisited and deepened over time, enabling students to build secure, transferable knowledge as they move from foundational understanding in Key Stage 3 to increasingly sophisticated analysis at Key Stage 4 and beyond.
In the classroom, we place a strong emphasis on high-quality talk, with structured discussion embedded into every lesson. Students are routinely supported to rehearse, refine and extend their ideas verbally before crafting them into precise, analytical writing. Through this deliberate integration of reading, writing and spoken language, students develop the confidence and control needed to communicate their ideas clearly, thoughtfully and effectively.
How do we make English memorable at HAWI?
Alongside classroom study, our English curriculum is enriched by a range of carefully planned experiences which bring texts and ideas to life. These include visits to the theatre to see performances such as Othello at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Crucible, The Hunger Games, and Romeo and Juliet at The Globe Theatre. Experiencing these works in performance deepens students’ understanding of character, theme and interpretation, while broadening their engagement with significant literary texts.
Beyond the classroom, Curiosity Days and visiting speaker events enable students to engage with authors, poets and spoken word artists. Author visits, most recently including Tola Okogwu, Christopher Edge and Savita Kalhan, are designed to encourage students to engage more deeply with reading, fostering enjoyment while also offering insight into the writing process and the contemporary relevance of literature. During Curiosity Days, students have also taken part in a literary walking tour of London, connecting literature to place and context.
Students also develop their skills in public speaking and debate through participation in the Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Challenge, as well as MACE, Debate Mate and ESU competitions. These experiences build confidence and enable students to articulate their ideas with clarity and conviction.