Welcome to English at Blackpool Skills Academy
At Blackpool Skills Academy, we believe English is more than just reading and writing — it’s a powerful tool for expressing yourself, understanding the world, and succeeding in your chosen path. Whether you're writing a report for your vocational course, preparing for interviews, or communicating with clients, strong English skills will support you every step of the way.
To help you build those skills, we’ve created a series of interactive tables below. Each topic is organised by term and linked to accessible learning and revision resources. Click the links to revisit key lessons, boost your confidence, and prepare for what comes next — whether that’s a functional skills qualification, a GCSE, or the world of work.
Let’s get started — and remember, every word you write and every skill you build in English takes you closer to your goals.
| Year | Term | Unit Title | Content | Skills |
| Year 7 | Autumn | Reading: Modern Novel | Study of a modern novel (e.g., Wonder or The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas). Focus on character development, themes, and narrative techniques. Introduction to inference and evidence-based analysis. | Reading comprehension; character analysis; theme identification; inference |
| Year 7 | Autumn | Writing: Creative and Descriptive Writing | Exploration of sensory language, figurative devices, and effective vocabulary. Creating vivid descriptions and engaging narratives. | Descriptive writing; figurative language; vocabulary development |
| Year 7 | Autumn | Speaking and Listening | Introduction to structured discussions and presentations. | Presentation skills; discussion techniques |
| Year 7 | Spring | Poetry: An Introduction | Study of a range of poems, including contemporary and pre-20th-century works. Analysis of poetic devices, themes, and structure. | Poetry analysis; language and structure; thematic understanding |
| Year 7 | Spring | Non-Fiction: Writing to Inform and Explain | Focus on writing letters, reports, and articles. Emphasis on clarity, structure, and purpose. | Non-fiction writing; explanation; formal structure |
| Year 7 | Spring | Grammar and Vocabulary Development | Basics of sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar rules. Expanding vocabulary through thematic word banks. | Grammar skills; punctuation; vocabulary |
| Year 7 | Summer | Shakespeare: An Introduction | Study of scenes from a Shakespeare play (e.g., A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Romeo and Juliet). Focus on characterisation, plot, and language. | Shakespearean language; plot analysis; character study |
| Year 7 | Summer | Creative Writing: Exploring Shakespearean Themes | Short stories or plays inspired by Shakespearean themes. | Thematic writing; creative composition |
| Year 8 | Autumn | Reading: 19th-Century Prose | Study of an accessible 19th-century novel (e.g., A Christmas Carol). Exploration of historical context, narrative structure, and themes. | Historical context; narrative analysis; theme exploration |
| Year 8 | Autumn | Writing: Narrative Perspective | Crafting narratives from different viewpoints. Focus on structure, character voice, and tone. | Narrative structure; voice and tone; perspective writing |
| Year 8 | Spring | Drama: Modern Play | Study of a modern play (e.g., The Curious Incident). Focus on stage directions, dialogue, and dramatic tension. | Dramatic techniques; character dialogue; stagecraft |
| Year 8 | Spring | Non-Fiction: Writing to Persuade | Techniques of argument, rhetoric, and persuasion. Writing speeches, advertisements, and opinion pieces. | Persuasive writing; rhetorical devices; argument development |
| Year 8 | Spring | Grammar and Language Analysis | Identifying and using advanced punctuation and sentence structures. | Advanced grammar; sentence construction |
| Year 8 | Summer | Poetry: Comparative Analysis | Study of paired poems with contrasting themes or techniques. Focus on comparing structure, language, and effect. | Poetic comparison; structure analysis; literary effects |
| Year 8 | Summer | Creative Writing: Inspired by Poetry | Writing poems or prose inspired by studied works. | Poetic composition; creative expression |
| Year 9 | Autumn | Reading: Conflict in Literature | Study of a novel or war-themed stories (e.g., Of Mice and Men or war stories). Analysis of character motivations, settings, and key themes. | Literary analysis; character and theme; contextual understanding |
| Year 9 | Autumn | Writing: Analytical Essays | Structuring arguments, writing introductions, and embedding evidence. | Essay structure; analytical writing; evidence use |
| Year 9 | Spring | Shakespeare: Developing Analysis | Study of a Shakespearean tragedy or history (e.g., Macbeth or Julius Caesar). Focus on scenes, themes, and character arcs. | Shakespeare analysis; character development; theme study |
| Year 9 | Spring | Non-Fiction: Writing to Argue | Developing formal, logical arguments in essays and debates. | Argument writing; formal tone; critical reasoning |
| Year 9 | Spring | Speaking and Listening | Delivering persuasive speeches or participating in debates. | Speech delivery; debate skills |
| Year 9 | Summer | Poetry: Power and Identity | Study of poems focusing on power, identity, and culture. Emphasis on close reading and critical interpretation. | Poetry analysis; cultural themes; close reading |
| Year | Term | Unit Title | Content | Skills |
| Year 10 | Autumn | English Language: Reading Skills | Analysing non-fiction and fiction texts. Identifying language techniques, tone, and structure. | Comprehension; language analysis; structural techniques |
| Year 10 | Autumn | English Language: Writing Skills | Descriptive and narrative writing. Focus on vocabulary, sentence structure, and punctuation. | Creative writing; sentence fluency; punctuation accuracy |
| Year 10 | Autumn | English Literature: Modern Drama | Study of a modern play (e.g., An Inspector Calls). Themes, characters, and contextual analysis. | Literary analysis; character study; context understanding |
| Year 10 | Spring | English Language: Persuasive and Transactional Writing | Writing letters, speeches, and articles. Using rhetorical devices to argue and persuade. | Transactional writing; rhetoric; persuasive techniques |
| Year 10 | Spring | English Literature: Shakespeare | Study of a selected play (e.g., Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet). Analysis of themes, characters, and language. | Shakespearean analysis; theme and character; language techniques |
| Year 10 | Summer | English Language: Exam Practice | Practice of comprehension and creative writing tasks. | Exam technique; comprehension; creative responses |
| Year 10 | Summer | English Literature: Poetry Anthology | Study of set poems from the GCSE anthology. Comparison of themes, language, and structure. | Poetry comparison; language analysis; theme linking |
| Year 11 | Autumn | English Language: Critical Reading | Detailed analysis of unseen texts. Developing skills for comparing writers’ viewpoints. | Unseen analysis; viewpoint comparison; inference |
| Year 11 | Autumn | English Language: Writing Skills | Writing to inform, explain, and argue. | Formal writing; tone and purpose; structured argument |
| Year 11 | Autumn | English Literature: 19th-Century Prose | Study of a selected novel (e.g., A Christmas Carol or Jekyll and Hyde). Focus on historical context, characterisation, and narrative style. | 19th-century context; narrative technique; character analysis |
| Year 11 | Spring | English Language: Unseen Texts | Analysis of unseen fiction and non-fiction. Developing a structured approach to exam responses. | Exam responses; structure; textual analysis |
| Year 11 | Spring | English Literature: Revision of Set Texts | Recap and consolidation of studied texts (e.g., modern drama, Shakespeare, poetry, and prose). Exploration of thematic links across texts. | Revision; intertextual themes; consolidation |