Curriculum Corner
A Glimpse into the English Department at Co-op Academy North Manchester
To be or not to be... excited for the new school year? That is the question, and the answer is yes! The English Department at Co-op Academy North Manchester has had a busy and productive start to the new academic year as pupils across all year groups have begun working with a variety of exciting and diverse texts and topics. We are incredibly proud of the fantastic start our pupils have made, and it's been wonderful to see so many of them settling into their studies with enthusiasm and hard work. Here's a look at what each year group has been getting up to.
Key Stage 3: Starting Strong
It's been a great start for Year 7, who have settled in brilliantly and are already getting to grips with new ideas and concepts in English. They recently celebrated Roald Dahl Day by doing some fantastic work on the beloved author. Soon, they will be developing their creative writing skills, drawing inspiration from extracts of gothic literature.
Meanwhile, Year 8 students are engrossed in their reading of ‘The Edge’ by Alan Gibbons, a gripping novel that explores themes of escape and resilience. The students are analysing the characters and plot, preparing them for more complex literary analysis in the future.
In Year 9, the atmosphere is one of suspense as pupils delve into a collection of spooky gothic short stories. They are studying classics like "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Tell-Tale Heart," learning to analyse how authors create fear and tension through language and structure.
Key Stage 4: GCSE Preparation and Hard Work
Our Year 10 pupils have made an excellent start to their GCSE courses. They're kicking off their English Literature studies with poetry, exploring different forms and themes as they build the foundational knowledge needed for their exams.
Last, but certainly not least, Year 11 pupils are in their final year and are tackling their last new content before the preparation for mock exams begins. They are studying the famous Victorian novella, "Jekyll and Hyde", a text that challenges them to analyse complex themes of good versus evil and the duality of human nature. This final push will set them up for success as they prepare for the upcoming mock examinations.
Whilst keeping you updated with events across the academy, NOMA News showcases departments to give you an insight into the curricula studied and, as an English teacher myself, it was only right to start with the English department this week and to share this picture of our wonderful library. The library is open Monday to Thursday before school, during break and lunch and after school. On Fridays, it is open at break and lunchtime only and Mrs Loughman our librarian, is an expert on literature for all age groups.
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