English Literature
At The Royal, our English curriculum is built on a simple but powerful foundation: a deep love of literature paired with rigorous preparation for academic success. We believe that English should inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence—equipping students with the skills they need for both GCSEs and life beyond the classroom.
Our curriculum is ambitious, engaging, and inclusive, designed to reflect diverse voices, real-world experiences, and powerful themes. At the heart of our approach is a series of carefully selected vehicle texts that act as gateways into a wider literary, cultural, and social understanding. These texts allow us to make rich cross-curricular connections and explore timeless human experiences.
Key Stage 5
At A-Level, students follow the OCR English Literature course, which includes a strong focus on The Gothic genre through texts such as The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and Othello by William Shakespeare. The course combines 80% examination with 20% Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) coursework, providing a balanced approach to assessment. Students engage with critical theory, explore alternative interpretations, and develop their own literary voice. Our post-16 English curriculum fosters deeper intellectual engagement, academic independence, and a lifelong
Beyond the Classroom
We are proud to offer a wide range of enrichment experiences that build cultural capital and truly bring English to life for our students. These opportunities extend beyond the classroom and include creative writing activities such as Lesson 6 workshops, whole-school creative writing competitions, and engaging World Book Day events. We also regularly host author talks that inspire students and provide unique insights into the craft of writing.
Our commitment to cultural enrichment is further demonstrated through theatre visits at Key Stage 4, where students have the chance to experience live performances of Macbeth and An Inspector Calls. For Key Stage 3, we organize rewarding trips such as visits to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, offering students a tangible connection to literary history.
Throughout the year, we run author visits, reading challenges, and library events that motivate students to read widely and deepen their love of literature. These experiences complement our rigorous curriculum by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for English.
Whether students are analysing a Shakespearean tragedy or crafting a piece of persuasive writing, our goal remains the same: to develop curious, confident, and capable learners, ready to thrive in school and beyond.