English Literature

At River Tees Hospital School, the English Literature curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of our pupils and aims to develop their knowledge, skills and appreciation of literature in a way that supports their academic progress and personal development.  

Central to this is the identification and teaching of key knowledge that pupils need to make meaningful progress in English literature. This includes understanding how critics apply different perspectives to texts, learning about influential readings, and developing the ability to interpret texts thoughtfully. Pupils also gain contextual and aesthetic knowledge that deepens their appreciation of literature. 

The curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that pupils engage with texts that increase in complexity over time, both in style and in the depth of content and themes. This sequencing is intentional to help pupils build on prior knowledge and skills, which enables them to comprehend new and more challenging literature effectively.  

The aims of the curriculum are broad and ambitious. It seeks to cultivate pupils’ ability to explore a wide range of literary genres, including novels, plays, poetry and drama, all of which offer different ways to understand the world and human experience. Literature is used as a tool to develop pupils’ empathy, imagination and critical thinking, helping them to engage with moral dilemmas, social issues, and cultural debates. The curriculum also supports pupils in developing their language skills, including vocabulary, narrative techniques and the use of literary devices, which are essential for both comprehension and expression. 

At Key Stage 4, the curriculum aligns with national requirements, ensuring pupils study a balanced selection of texts, including Shakespeare, 19th century literature, and a diverse range of modern works. This balance ensures that pupils gain cultural capital through exposure to established literary heritage while also seeing themselves and a variety of perspectives reflected in the texts they study. Beyond academic achievement, literature is recognised as a means to support pupils’ wellbeing, offering opportunities to explore emotions, build resilience, and find hope through stories and poetry.  

The impact of this sequenced and knowledge-rich curriculum is significant. By explicitly teaching and modelling different interpretations and ensuring that texts are chosen for their literary merit, pupils develop a coherent and cumulative understanding of literature. This approach not only improves reading comprehension but also fosters a lifelong appreciation of literature. It supports pupils in becoming confident readers and thinkers who can navigate complex texts and ideas, which is crucial for their future education and personal growth.  

In summary, the English Literature curriculum at River Tees Hospital School is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and academically rigorous. It carefully balances the development of foundational skills with the exploration of rich, diverse literary texts, all within a supportive environment that recognises and nurtures the individual needs and potential of every pupil.