Year 10
Building Foundations in Language and Literature
Year 10, students at Thomas Adams School begin their Key Stage 4 English journey by engaging with both Literature and Language components of the GCSE. The curriculum is designed to build a firm foundation in literary analysis and creative expression. Initially, pupils focus on Paper 2 Literature, developing skills in reading comprehension, textual reference, and analytical techniques in language, form and structure, while also considering contextual influences. These analytical skills are further extended through the study of Paper 1 Literature and a range of poetry, encouraging deeper engagement with theme, character, and comparative analysis.
As the year progresses, students are introduced to the fundamentals of the spoken language component and descriptive writing tasks. Emphasis is placed on identifying the writer’s viewpoint, crafting coherent narratives, and mastering a rich vocabulary and structural devices to suit purpose and audience. Pupils are guided through analytical writing with increasing independence, and by the end of the year, many are capable of responding effectively to full exam-style questions across Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the Literature curriculum.
Assessment is central to pupil development, with formal evaluations taking place every two or three weeks under examination conditions. These are marked by teachers, supported by live feedback and peer assessment, which collectively inform modelling strategies to help students refine longer responses. Home learning tasks complement classroom study by reinforcing knowledge of key themes and contextual research, while also building exam confidence through additional practice questions. Learning is consistently reviewed through departmental feedback, targeted redrafting activities, and progress tracking, ensuring all pupils understand their next steps towards improvement.
Year 11
Mastery and Preparation for GCSE Success
Year 11 sees a shift in emphasis toward mastering English Language components while continuing to refine skills developed in English Literature. The academic year opens with a thematic focus on ‘Crime’ as a context for exploring Paper 1 Language skills, encouraging students to interpret information critically, analyse language and structure, and evaluate texts effectively. Pupils also begin producing extended pieces of fiction writing, focusing on narrative voice, description, and effective planning and organisation.
In the second term, the focus turns to Paper 2 Language, where students learn to compare ideas and perspectives across non-fiction texts. Writing tasks also shift toward transactional styles, helping students articulate informed viewpoints. Through regular practice, students are trained to work with increasing independence, ultimately aiming to complete full Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams with minimal or no teacher intervention.
Literature remains a vital part of the Year 11 curriculum, especially for higher-attaining pupils. These students continue studying the Modern Novel, Pre-1900 texts, Shakespearean drama, and unseen poetry. The goal is to consolidate previous learning and gain fluency in literary comparison and critical interpretation.
Students are assessed every two to three weeks in exam-style conditions, with feedback provided through detailed departmental frameworks. Live marking and peer review remain integral to developing high-quality responses, while yellow-box redraft tasks allow students to act meaningfully on teacher feedback. Home learning is directed toward exam preparation, with students completing past papers, revising key ideas, and practising independently to hone timing and technique. As the GCSEs approach, teaching time is dedicated to intensive revision, ensuring pupils feel confident and well-prepared for both English Language and Literature examinations.
Contact
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill
Wem
Shropshire
SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 1939 237000