At Rastrick High School, we take the approach that “it is a quest of literature throughout the ages to describe the human condition”.
In Year 7, our students begin by discovering the foundations of this principle, exploring the classical influences that have shaped much of Western literature, and how both cultural and personal identities are explored and expressed through the power of both spoken and written word. In essence, Year 7 students discover how storytelling is at the core of who we are as people.
Students begin their GCSE content with a reminder that “it is a quest of literature throughout the ages to describe the human condition”. This means that each text they study will be understood from the perspective of the writer, and will be explored with a critical approach to understand how each writer, be it a writer of fiction or non-fiction, uses the written word to explore the world around them. They will explore this concept in elements of their own writing too, establishing voice, attitude, and creative approaches to engaging topics. Students will take the approach that they are now ‘mastering’ the knowledge and skills from KS3 to form strong basis for their study of GCSE material.
Students will enter their final year of GCSE study with the aim of building maturity into their reading, analysis, critical thinking, and writing skills. It is here that they will be able to reflect on how and why writers explore the world around them – their politics, ethics, emotions and experiences – with an assuredness that comes from the breadth and depth of the curriculum at KS3 and Year 10. Students will develop the confidence to express themselves, to have faith in their own opinions and how they shape them in both spoken and written formats, and to articulate critical and creative approaches with the success that will give them the poise to perform in the GCSE exams and beyond.