English

Year 8 moves into closer textual analysis: examining theme, character and structure in more depth, often including a first proper introduction to Shakespeare. Persuasive and rhetorical techniques (rhetorical questions, the rule of three, emotive language) are studied and practised in students' own writing.

Students read a wider range of genres and time periods, building the literary breadth GCSE English Literature will draw on, while essay writing grows longer and more structured.