English

OUR ENGLISH CURRICULUM

Stories shape how we see the world; literature allows us to question, connect, and make sense of it.

Our Mission

At Orion Coopers, our English curriculum builds resilient, independent, and reflective learners who think critically, write with precision, and engage empathetically with the world around them. Through a diverse and rigorous curriculum, students develop the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and confidence to flourish as scholars and communicators.

Our Curriculum Vision

The English curriculum at Orion Coopers is designed to challenge, inspire, and empower all learners. It is built upon a clear progression of knowledge and skills that develops students’ confidence in reading, writing, and oracy from Year 7 to Year 11.

We build resilience by encouraging students to engage with complex ideas and perspectives, fostering curiosity and perseverance in their learning.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
— George R. R. Martin

We nurture independence by equipping students with the analytical and creative tools to think deeply, form original interpretations, and express themselves with clarity and purpose.

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
— Frederick Douglass

We promote diversity and cultural awareness by exploring a rich range of voices, contexts, and experiences, enabling students to connect their learning to the wider world.

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
— Stephen King

We refine writing as a craft, guiding students through the processes of planning, drafting, and editing to ensure they write with both accuracy and ambition.

The golden thread that runs through every stage of our curriculum ensures that students leave Coopers School as articulate, empathetic, and critical thinkers—ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to the world beyond the classroom.

Curriculum plans for each year group can be found here English Subject Plans

KS4 QuALIFICATIONS

The biggest help you can give your child is by ensuring they read widely, including non-fiction newspaper articles every day. 

The texts we study are:

• “Macbeth”
• ‘’A Christmas Carol’’
• “An Inspector Calls”
• The Power and Conflict cluster from the AQA poetry anthology