Blackpool Skills Academy

English Curriculum Overview

39 Week Spiral Curriculum with Stage Progression

Explore careers through English

Communication skills open doors

Strong English skills help people communicate clearly, understand information, express ideas and make confident decisions in education, employment and everyday life.

This video explores how reading, writing, speaking and listening skills support success across different careers and professional settings.

Watch the video and consider how English skills are used in the workplace.

Our curriculum model

How the spiral curriculum works

All students study the same broad English concepts.

Progression is achieved through increasing:

Reading complexity
Vocabulary sophistication
Writing accuracy
Analytical depth
Independence
Application

The curriculum is aligned to the National Curriculum for English and prepares students for Functional Skills English, GCSE English Language, GCSE English Literature, further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Students work at the stage appropriate to their current attainment and progress through increasingly demanding tasks within each curriculum area.

The learning journey

Progression Through Stages

Stage 1

Retrieve and Respond

Supported reading and writing

Everyday communication

Stage 2

Summarise and Organise

Structured reading and writing

Developing vocabulary

Stage 3

Infer and Explain

Independent application

Academic communication

Stage 4

Analyse and Control

Critical reading and writing

Formal communication

Stage 5

Evaluate and Communicate

Sophisticated application

Professional communication

The 39 week programme

Curriculum Overview

Autumn Term

Identity and Conflict

Weeks 1 to 14

Autumn 1: Identity, Poetry and Self-Expression

Big Question

How do writers use language to explore identity, express emotions and communicate ideas effectively?

Throughout this half term, students develop the core reading, vocabulary and writing skills needed for Functional Skills and GCSE English. Through poetry, descriptive writing and personal reflection, they learn how writers make deliberate language choices whilst improving the accuracy and sophistication of their own communication.

Autumn 2: War and Conflict

Big Question

How do writers communicate the realities of conflict through description, narrative, poetry and factual writing?

During this half term, students explore how conflict is presented through fiction, poetry and non-fiction. They develop descriptive, narrative and transactional writing whilst strengthening reading, speaking and analytical skills through increasingly challenging texts and real-world communication.

Week	Topic	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Stage 5
1	Baseline Assessment: Who Am I?	Complete an initial assessment demonstrating current reading, writing and communication skills.	Complete an initial assessment whilst beginning to explain ideas using simple evidence.	Demonstrate independent reading and writing skills across a range of assessment activities.	Analyse personal strengths and identify priorities for improvement across reading and writing.	Evaluate current performance critically, setting challenging literacy targets linked to GCSE, Functional Skills and future employment.
2	Identity Through Reading: Reading Comprehension	Retrieve explicit information from a text by identifying key facts, people and events accurately.	Summarise the main ideas using evidence from different parts of the text in your own words.	Infer meaning by explaining characters' thoughts, feelings, motives and implied ideas using textual evidence.	Analyse how language, structure and writer's choices shape the reader's understanding of identity.	Evaluate how successfully the writer presents identity, supporting opinions with precise evidence and critical judgement.
3	Vocabulary of Identity: Vocabulary Development	Recognise and use everyday vocabulary to describe people, emotions, personality and identity.	Apply Tier 2 vocabulary accurately to explain feelings, behaviour and relationships within spoken and written responses.	Select academic vocabulary confidently when discussing themes, characters and writers' ideas.	Use subject-specific terminology such as imagery, symbolism, tone, perspective and connotation accurately within analysis.	Select nuanced vocabulary precisely to create sophisticated analytical and creative responses with clarity and control.
4	Poetry and Self-Expression: Sentence Construction	Write simple sentences expressing personal thoughts and observations using correct capital letters and full stops.	Combine ideas using compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions to improve fluency and detail.	Construct complex sentences using subordinate clauses to explain thoughts, emotions and ideas effectively.	Vary sentence structures deliberately to control pace, emphasis and the impact of descriptive or poetic writing.	Use controlled and sophisticated sentence structures deliberately to create a distinctive writer's voice and sustained effect.
5	Crafting Accurate Writing: Grammar and Punctuation	Use capital letters, full stops and basic sentence boundaries accurately in everyday writing.	Apply commas, apostrophes and accurate punctuation within increasingly complex sentences.	Use clauses, consistent verb tenses and sentence control to improve accuracy and clarity.	Apply colons, semi-colons and other advanced punctuation accurately to organise and develop ideas.	Select grammar and punctuation deliberately to shape meaning, emphasise ideas and achieve a professional standard of written communication.
6	Building an Identity Profile: Paragraph Construction	Write basic paragraphs with a clear topic sentence and relevant supporting ideas.	Organise paragraphs logically using linking words and simple evidence to develop ideas.	Construct linked paragraphs independently using appropriate vocabulary, evidence and explanation.	Develop structured arguments by selecting relevant evidence and organising ideas for maximum clarity and impact.	Produce controlled, well-structured writing that sustains a clear line of argument and demonstrates sophisticated organisation throughout.
7	What Is War? Descriptive Writing	Describe people, objects and places using simple adjectives and basic sensory vocabulary.	Describe settings using expanded noun phrases and sensory details to help the reader visualise the scene.	Create atmosphere by selecting ambitious vocabulary, figurative language and varied sentence structures.	Develop mood through carefully chosen imagery, symbolism and deliberate language choices.	Craft a distinctive writer's voice that creates vivid atmosphere and emotional impact appropriate to purpose and audience.
8	Life in the Trenches: Narrative Writing	Write a simple narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end using basic sequencing.	Structure a narrative using paragraphs, dialogue and clear chronological order.	Develop believable characters, settings and conflicts using descriptive language and effective narrative techniques.	Control narrative techniques including flashbacks, pacing, foreshadowing and viewpoint to engage the reader.	Produce a sophisticated narrative demonstrating confident structure, compelling characterisation and a sustained writer's voice.
9	War Poetry and Human Experience: Character and Setting	Identify poetic features such as rhyme, repetition, simile and imagery within a poem.	Explain how language and poetic techniques help present characters, settings and emotions.	Explore how writers develop ideas about conflict, suffering and human experience using carefully selected evidence.	Analyse the writer's methods by examining language, structure and form to explain their effects.	Evaluate the effectiveness of the poet's choices using detailed textual evidence and critical interpretation.
10	Propaganda, Debate and Spoken Language	Respond to questions using short spoken answers whilst listening respectfully to others.	Participate in structured discussions by expressing opinions clearly and responding appropriately to different viewpoints.	Deliver a short presentation using appropriate vocabulary, eye contact and clear organisation.	Deliver a formal presentation using persuasive language, supporting evidence and confident spoken communication techniques.	Communicate professionally by adapting tone, vocabulary and presentation style to influence different audiences effectively.
11	War in the News: Reading Non-Fiction	Identify key facts, dates and information from newspaper articles and other non-fiction texts.	Summarise the main points of factual texts using evidence accurately and concisely.	Compare different viewpoints presented across two or more non-fiction texts using supporting evidence.	Analyse the writer's purpose, language choices and structural features to explain how opinions are shaped.	Evaluate the effectiveness, credibility and reliability of non-fiction texts using reasoned critical judgement and evidence.
12	Reporting World War Three: Writing to Inform	Write informative sentences that communicate clear factual information accurately.	Organise information into logical paragraphs using appropriate factual vocabulary and sequencing.	Produce extended informative writing using clear introductions, organised paragraphs and supporting detail.	Control structure, cohesion and formal language to produce well-organised reports suitable for different audiences.	Produce professional-quality informative writing using formal register, precise vocabulary and effective organisation appropriate for workplace or journalistic communication.
13	Letters Home: Communication in Conflict	Complete simple forms, notices and short written messages using appropriate layout and basic information.	Write clear emails using appropriate greetings, organisation and polite professional language.	Produce formal letters using recognised conventions, accurate paragraphing and an appropriate formal register.	Write structured reports using headings, clear organisation, factual language and evidence to communicate information effectively.	Produce workplace-standard communication by selecting the most appropriate format, maintaining professionalism and adapting writing to suit different audiences and purposes.
14	Assessment and Retrieval: Identity and War	Demonstrate secure retrieval of key knowledge, vocabulary and writing skills developed throughout the unit.	Apply reading and writing skills consistently whilst completing structured assessment tasks with growing confidence.	Complete independent assessment activities demonstrating secure reading comprehension, analytical thinking and accurate writing.	Analyse responses critically, identifying strengths and improvements using assessment criteria and teacher feedback.	Evaluate overall performance across the unit, demonstrating sophisticated literacy skills whilst setting precise targets for continued progress.

Spring Term

Literature Through Time

Weeks 15 to 28

Spring: Literature Through Time

Big Question

How do great writers use characters, language and themes to reflect society, influence readers and communicate timeless ideas?

Throughout this term, students study influential literary texts from different periods, developing the analytical reading and critical thinking skills required for GCSE English. They explore how writers present character, theme and context whilst learning to support increasingly sophisticated interpretations with precise textual evidence.

Week	Topic	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Stage 5
15	Literature Through Time: What Makes a Great Story?	Understand the plot by identifying the main characters, settings and events within the text.	Explain how events, characters and settings contribute to the overall story.	Explore key themes such as friendship, conflict, power or identity using evidence from the text.	Analyse the writer's methods, considering language, structure and literary techniques used to engage the reader.	Evaluate the writer's ideas, explaining why the text remains important and relevant across different time periods.
16	Of Mice and Men: Character and Context	Understand the storyline by identifying the main characters, setting and key events within the novel.	Explain how Steinbeck presents characters and how historical context influences their lives.	Explore themes including friendship, loneliness, dreams and prejudice using relevant quotations.	Analyse Steinbeck's language, symbolism and structural choices to explain how meaning is created.	Evaluate the significance of characters, themes and historical context, supporting interpretations with precise textual evidence.
17	Dreams, Friendship and Society: Quotation Analysis	Identify quotations that relate to key characters, themes and events within the text.	Explain the meaning of selected quotations using straightforward interpretation and contextual understanding.	Analyse quotations by exploring language choices, connotations and links to wider themes.	Explore the writer's methods through detailed analysis of individual words, phrases and literary devices.	Critically evaluate quotations by considering multiple interpretations and their significance within the whole text.
18	Romeo and Juliet: Shakespeare	Understand the plot by identifying the main characters, relationships and key events within the play.	Explain how Shakespeare presents characters, relationships and conflict through dialogue and action.	Explore themes including love, conflict, fate and family using well-chosen evidence from the play.	Analyse Shakespeare's language, imagery, dramatic techniques and structural choices to explain their effect.	Evaluate the significance of Shakespeare's ideas and their continued relevance, supporting responses with perceptive textual analysis.
19	Love, Conflict and Imagery: Poetry and Figurative Language	Identify examples of imagery including similes, metaphors, personification and symbolism within poems.	Explain how figurative language helps communicate emotions, relationships and conflict.	Compare how different poets use imagery to develop similar themes and ideas.	Analyse the effects of imagery, language and structural choices on the reader's interpretation.	Evaluate the effectiveness of poetic methods, comparing writers' techniques using detailed evidence and critical judgement.
20	Writer's Craft: Language Techniques	Identify language techniques such as metaphor, simile, repetition, alliteration, rhetorical questions and emotive language.	Explain why writers choose particular language techniques to engage readers and communicate meaning.	Compare how different writers use language techniques to achieve different effects.	Analyse individual language choices, exploring how vocabulary, imagery and sentence structure shape meaning.	Evaluate the impact of the writer's craft by considering how successfully language choices influence the reader's response.
21	Loneliness, Power and Relationships: Modern Fiction	Understand the plot by identifying key events, characters and relationships within the text.	Explain how characters' actions and relationships develop throughout the story using relevant evidence.	Explore themes such as loneliness, power, friendship and responsibility using well-chosen quotations.	Analyse how the writer uses language, structure and dialogue to develop relationships and shape the reader's understanding.	Evaluate the effectiveness of the writer's presentation of relationships and power, supporting interpretations with detailed textual evidence.
22	Victorian Voices: Literary Heritage	Understand the main events, characters and setting within a Victorian text.	Explain the writer's ideas about Victorian society, using evidence from the text to support understanding.	Compare themes, characters or social issues with modern texts, recognising similarities and differences.	Analyse how Victorian writers use language, structure and context to communicate ideas and influence readers.	Evaluate the significance of the text within its historical context, considering how its ideas remain relevant today.
23	Literature Through Time: Then and Now	Compare basic information such as characters, settings or events across two texts.	Compare writers' ideas, identifying similarities and differences using supporting evidence.	Compare the methods used by different writers, including language, structure and literary techniques.	Analyse similarities and differences in how writers present themes, characters and ideas across different time periods.	Evaluate which text communicates its ideas more effectively, supporting opinions with detailed comparison and critical judgement.
24	Messages That Matter: Writers' Viewpoints	Identify the writer's opinions and viewpoints within fiction and non-fiction texts.	Explain how writers communicate their viewpoints using evidence from the text.	Compare different writers' viewpoints on similar issues, recognising contrasting perspectives and intentions.	Analyse how perspective, tone, language and structure influence the reader's response to the writer's message.	Evaluate the strength of different arguments, considering how successfully each writer persuades or informs the audience.
25	Reading Like a Critic: Reading Analysis	Retrieve relevant evidence from a text to answer straightforward comprehension questions accurately.	Explain how selected evidence supports understanding of the writer's ideas and intentions.	Infer meaning by analysing implied ideas, attitudes and emotions using carefully selected evidence.	Analyse language choices, structure and literary methods in detail, explaining how they influence meaning.	Evaluate the writer's methods critically, offering well-supported interpretations using sophisticated textual analysis.
26	How Stories Are Built: Structure Analysis	Identify structural features such as openings, endings, paragraphs, chapters and flashbacks within a text.	Explain how writers organise ideas and events to guide the reader through the narrative.	Explore how structural choices influence pace, tension, character development and reader engagement.	Analyse the effects of structural techniques such as cyclical structure, foreshadowing, shifts in focus and narrative viewpoint.	Evaluate how structural choices contribute to the overall effectiveness of the text, supporting responses with precise textual evidence.
27	Modern Versus Classic: Critical Reading	Understand the main ideas presented within modern and classic texts.	Interpret meaning by explaining the writer's ideas, language and historical context.	Analyse themes, characters and literary methods independently across both modern and classic texts.	Evaluate how writers from different periods communicate similar ideas using different techniques and styles.	Make critical judgements about the effectiveness and lasting significance of modern and classic texts, supporting responses with perceptive textual evidence.
28	Assessment and Retrieval: Literature Through Time	Demonstrate secure retrieval of key knowledge, vocabulary and literary understanding from the unit.	Apply reading and analytical skills consistently whilst completing structured assessment activities.	Complete independent literary analysis using appropriate quotations, subject terminology and clear written explanations.	Analyse strengths and areas for improvement using assessment criteria, teacher feedback and evidence from completed work.	Evaluate overall performance critically, demonstrating sophisticated literary analysis whilst setting precise targets for continued GCSE and Functional Skills success.

Summer Term

Communication, Employment and Real-World English

Weeks 29 to 39

Summer: Communication, Employment and Real-World English

Big Question

How can strong communication skills help us influence others, evaluate information and succeed in education, employment and everyday life?

During this term, students apply the reading, writing and speaking skills developed throughout the year to authentic, real-world contexts. They explore persuasion, media, bias and professional communication before completing independent projects and preparing for further education, employment and adult life.

Week	Topic	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Stage 5
29	Changing Minds: Persuasive Techniques	Identify persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, repetition, emotive language, facts, opinions and direct address within spoken and written texts.	Use a range of persuasive techniques appropriately when writing or speaking to influence a chosen audience.	Select persuasive techniques independently, matching language choices to purpose, audience and form.	Analyse how writers and speakers combine persuasive techniques to influence thoughts, emotions and decisions.	Evaluate the effectiveness of persuasive methods, explaining why some techniques influence audiences more successfully than others.
30	Making Your Voice Heard: Persuasive Writing	Write a short argument expressing a clear opinion supported by simple reasons.	Organise a structured argument using paragraphs, persuasive vocabulary and supporting evidence.	Develop a balanced argument by acknowledging alternative viewpoints before presenting a reasoned conclusion.	Produce a sophisticated argument using rhetorical devices, varied sentence structures and carefully selected evidence to influence the reader.	Write with professional influence, adapting tone, structure and persuasive techniques confidently for formal, workplace and public audiences.
31	Media Matters: Media Texts	Identify the main messages communicated in newspapers, websites, advertisements and social media posts.	Explain how words, images and layout communicate meaning to different audiences.	Compare the messages presented across different media sources, identifying similarities and differences in presentation.	Analyse how media organisations use language, images, headlines and structure to shape audience opinion.	Evaluate the impact, reliability and effectiveness of media texts, considering bias, audience and purpose.
32	Truth or Manipulation? Fact, Opinion and Bias	Distinguish between factual statements and personal opinions within a range of texts.	Identify examples of bias, loaded language and one-sided reporting using evidence from the text.	Compare how different sources report the same event, identifying differences in viewpoint and emphasis.	Analyse the reliability of sources by considering evidence, credibility, purpose and audience.	Evaluate the credibility of information critically, justifying conclusions using evidence and reasoned judgement.
33	Heroes and Villains: Audience and Purpose	Recognise the intended audience and purpose of different spoken and written texts.	Adapt communication by selecting appropriate vocabulary, tone and structure for different audiences.	Select the most appropriate writing style and language independently to achieve a specific purpose.	Analyse how successfully language, structure and presentation engage different audiences.	Evaluate the success of communication, explaining how effectively the writer or speaker achieves their intended purpose.
34	Building a Hero: Functional Communication	Complete simple forms, notices and workplace documents accurately using appropriate information.	Write clear emails, messages and short workplace communications using suitable layout and professional language.	Produce reports and records independently using accurate grammar, formal vocabulary and logical organisation.	Complete formal documentation such as incident reports, witness statements or workplace records using appropriate conventions and professional tone.	Demonstrate employment-ready communication by selecting the most appropriate format, adapting language for different professional situations and producing workplace-standard written communication.
35	In Their Shoes: Character Interviews	Respond to straightforward interview questions using complete sentences and appropriate vocabulary.	Give structured responses that explain experiences, opinions and personal qualities with growing confidence.	Deliver expanded responses supported by examples, demonstrating effective listening, confidence and clear communication.	Give professional interview responses using evidence, reflection and persuasive communication techniques.	Demonstrate high-impact communication by answering challenging questions confidently, adapting responses to different interview situations and presenting yourself professionally.
36	Heroes, Villains and Legends: Extended Writing Project	Complete an extended writing task using planning support and basic paragraph structure.	Produce structured writing with a clear beginning, development and conclusion using accurate grammar and vocabulary.	Write independently, sustaining ideas across a longer piece using varied vocabulary and cohesive devices.	Maintain controlled writing by selecting language, structure and style deliberately to engage the intended audience.	Produce writing of a professional standard demonstrating technical accuracy, sophisticated vocabulary, sustained organisation and an individual writer's voice.
37	Create Your Own Myth: Independent Literacy Project	Complete a supported literacy project by following a clear structure and using teacher guidance to develop ideas.	Produce an applied literacy project by planning, drafting and organising ideas clearly for a chosen audience and purpose.	Complete an independent literacy project that combines reading, writing and research skills to produce a coherent final piece.	Develop a workplace-style project by adapting language, organisation and presentation to meet a realistic vocational brief.	Produce an extended independent project demonstrating professional communication, originality, critical thinking and sustained technical accuracy suitable for further education or employment.
38	Show What You Know: Retrieval and Reflection	Retrieve key vocabulary, grammar rules, reading strategies and writing techniques from across the curriculum.	Apply previously learned knowledge confidently when completing structured retrieval and examination-style tasks.	Demonstrate independent recall of reading, writing and analytical skills across a range of unseen texts and writing tasks.	Prepare strategically for qualification assessments by identifying strengths, addressing misconceptions and refining examination techniques.	Demonstrate examination readiness by selecting the most effective reading, analytical and writing strategies whilst evaluating personal performance against GCSE and Functional Skills success criteria.
39	Final Assessment and Celebration of Learning	Demonstrate the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills developed throughout the course whilst recognising personal progress.	Apply English skills consistently across a range of assessment activities, demonstrating increasing confidence and accuracy.	Complete assessment tasks independently using appropriate vocabulary, evidence, grammar and communication skills.	Evaluate personal performance by analysing strengths, identifying priorities for improvement and reflecting on progress throughout the year.	Demonstrate readiness for further education, apprenticeships and employment through confident communication, sophisticated literacy skills and a professional approach to learning.

What progress looks like

Progression Expectations

Stage 1

Students retrieve straightforward information from texts, communicate simple ideas clearly and write accurate sentences using basic grammar and punctuation. They begin developing confidence in reading, speaking and writing for different purposes.

Stage 2

Students summarise information, explain ideas using evidence and produce organised paragraphs with improving vocabulary and sentence control. They participate confidently in discussions and apply literacy skills across a range of familiar contexts.

Stage 3

Students infer meaning, analyse texts independently and produce extended writing using appropriate vocabulary, accurate grammar and well-organised paragraphs. They adapt communication to different audiences and demonstrate increasing independence across reading, writing and spoken language.

Stage 4

Students analyse writers' methods, compare viewpoints and evaluate language, structure and purpose using subject-specific vocabulary and detailed textual evidence. They communicate confidently in both formal spoken and written contexts, selecting language deliberately to achieve specific effects.

Stage 5

Students demonstrate the literacy skills expected for successful progression into GCSE, Functional Skills, further education and employment. They evaluate complex texts critically, communicate professionally for different audiences, construct sophisticated written responses and use language precisely to inform, persuade, analyse and influence others.

Learning across the year

Curriculum Themes

Autumn

Identity and Conflict

Identity, poetry and self-expression
War and conflict
Reading comprehension
Writing accuracy

Spring

Literature Through Time

Of Mice and Men
Romeo and Juliet
Literary heritage
Comparison and analysis

Summer

The Power of Words

Persuasion and media
Heroes and villains
Myths and legends
Independent communication

What students will study

National Curriculum Coverage

Reading

Reading for meaning and comprehension
Retrieval, inference, analysis and evaluation
Fiction, non-fiction and poetry
Comparing texts across different periods
Writers' viewpoints, perspectives and intentions
Reading for pleasure and critical engagement

Literature

Modern fiction
Shakespeare
Literary heritage and nineteenth-century extracts
Poetry from different times and contexts
Character, theme, context and writer's methods
Comparing literature across time

Writing

Narrative and descriptive writing
Transactional writing
Informative and explanatory writing
Persuasive writing
Creative and reflective writing
Editing, proofreading and redrafting

Grammar and Vocabulary

Sentence construction and language choices
Standard English
Punctuation and spelling
Vocabulary development
Language analysis and writer's methods

Spoken Language

Discussion and debate
Collaborative learning
Presentations
Speaking for different audiences and purposes
Professional and workplace communication

Functional Literacy and Employability

Reading everyday and workplace texts
Forms, emails, letters and reports
Media literacy and evaluating information
Interview and communication skills
Writing for purpose and audience
Employability and independent communication

The purpose of the programme

Curriculum Intent

The English curriculum at Blackpool Skills Academy develops confident readers, thoughtful communicators and purposeful writers through a carefully sequenced spiral curriculum that builds knowledge, confidence and independence over time.

Students study a rich range of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, Shakespeare and modern literature whilst developing increasingly sophisticated reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Core concepts including retrieval, inference, analysis, vocabulary development, grammar, persuasive writing and functional communication are revisited throughout the curriculum, enabling students to deepen their understanding and apply their learning across increasingly demanding contexts.

Alongside literary study, students develop the practical literacy skills required for everyday life, further education and employment. They learn to analyse information critically, communicate confidently in discussions and presentations, write accurately for a range of audiences and evaluate the effectiveness of language used by themselves and others.

The curriculum is fully aligned to the National Curriculum and prepares students for Functional Skills English, GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature whilst equipping them with the communication, critical thinking and literacy skills needed to succeed in apprenticeships, employment and modern society.