English

English — Year 9

British Curriculum · Ages 13-14

Year 9 begins preparing directly for GCSE: analytical essay writing on set texts, poetry analysis (form, structure, language, and comparing poems), and analysis of non-fiction and media texts. Transactional writing (letters, articles, speeches written for a specific purpose and audience) is practised in the GCSE style.

By the end of Year 9, most schools have introduced the actual GCSE set texts or a very close equivalent, so this year genuinely sets the foundation for GCSE performance rather than being a separate, disconnected topic.

Key topics covered

• Analytical Essay Writing — Structured responses to set texts.
• Poetry Analysis — Form, structure, language, and comparison between poems.
• Non-Fiction & Media Analysis — Reading and analysing real-world texts.
• Transactional Writing — Letters, articles and speeches for a purpose and audience.