When I read great literature, great drama, speeches, or sermons, I feel that the human mind has not achieved anything greater than the ability to share feelings and thoughts through language - James Earl Jones

English Curriculum Intent Statement 

At Looe Community Academy, our English curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity, deepen understanding, and empower every learner to engage critically and creatively with language and literature. We believe that knowledge is connected, not fragmented, so our curriculum builds meaningful links across texts, contexts, and concepts, enabling students to see patterns and purpose in what they learn. 

Central to our curriculum are the big ideas of Conflict, Identity, Power, and Relationships. These concepts underpin the texts we study and the discussions we foster, helping students to explore how writers present human experiences and societal issues across time and culture. Through these lenses, learners develop empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to interpret complex perspectives. 

We aim to provide high challenge with low threat, creating a culture where students feel safe to take intellectual risks, explore big ideas, and develop their own voice. Through rich encounters with classic and contemporary texts—from Shakespeare’s timeless explorations of ambition and morality to modern narratives of resilience and identity—students learn to question, interpret, and articulate with confidence. 

Our curriculum prioritises reading for pleasure, writing for purpose, and speaking for impact. We teach the craft of language and structure while fostering curiosity and creativity through diverse perspectives. Students are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and express themselves with clarity and originality, preparing them for life beyond the classroom. 

Ultimately, our intent is to ignite a lifelong love of language, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and curiosity to thrive as thoughtful readers, skilled communicators, and imaginative creators in an ever-changing world. 

Focused Curriculum Contextual Routines

• Reading / close  

• Frayer Model 

• Visualiser 

• Think out loud 

• Cold Calling