English

Year 9 English raises the analytical demand. Pupils study a Shakespeare play, a modern novel and poetry, and write extended responses that trace a theme across a whole text rather than commenting on isolated quotations.

Writing focuses on control: structuring an argument, varying sentences deliberately, and matching register to audience. Functional writing covers reviews, articles, formal letters and speeches with proper conventions.

Non-fiction reading includes comparing writers' viewpoints and methods — one of the harder GCSE skills, introduced early here so it has time to develop before CCEA coursework and examinations begin.