English

Our Curriculum Intent

At Clayton Hall Academy, the English curriculum both inspires and challenges our students, creating an appreciation of human creativity and achievement through our study of literary heritage texts, including those from different cultures from within Britain and around the world. By giving our students a diverse and challenging curriculum, we also give them the skills, resilience and independence needed to become well-rounded individuals with an appreciation for wider societal values. These texts help them to experience life beyond their local contexts and become citizens of the future.

The curriculum has been created with a backbone of English skills which are explicitly taught and re-visited throughout all five years. This spiral curriculum model allows us to adapt and update curriculum content on a regular basis whilst still ensuring that students are fully equipped with the English skills needed for both further study and future careers. In addition to this the study of current affairs, based non-fiction, allows us to challenge negative views and prejudices whilst promoting British values. Our speaking and listening opportunities allow students to present and articulate ideas and opinions to formal and informal audiences in a professional manner, communicating confidently with others using a range of vocabulary.

Ultimately, the English Curriculum at Clayton Hall Academy is designed to create curious and creative individuals who have the skills, confidence, and knowledge to achieve their potential both at school and beyond.

KS3 and KS4 Road Maps

Key Stage 3 Road Map

Key Stage 4 Road Map

Reading

The Importance of Reading

Reading is at the heart of learning and success in school life. It builds curiosity, imagination, and confidence, helping students to understand the world around them and express their own ideas clearly. Regular reading strengthens vocabulary, improves writing, and deepens comprehension across every subject — not just English. Beyond the classroom, reading develops empathy and critical thinking, encouraging students to see different perspectives and grow as thoughtful, informed individuals. At our school, we believe that nurturing a love of reading is one of the most powerful ways to inspire lifelong learning and achievement.

Recommended Reads: Years 7/8/9

Action & Thrillers

Bodyguard or Young Samurai (& sequels) by Chris Bradford
I’d Tell You I Love You but Then I’d Have to Kill You (& sequels) by Ally Carter
Mortal Chaos, Speed Freaks, The Everest Files (& sequels) by Matt Dickinson
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
Silverfin or The Enemy (& sequels) by Charlie Higson
Stormbreaker (& sequels) by Anthony Horowitz
Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean
Girl Missing (& sequels) by Sophie McKenzie
The Recruit (& sequels) by Robert Muchamore (13+)
Maximum Ride (& sequels) by James Patterson
Agent 21 (& sequels) by Chris Ryan
Carjacked by Ali Sparkes
Murder Most Unladylike (& sequels) – Robin Stevens
The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens

Diversity and Inclusion

You Must be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied
A Pocketful of Stars by Aisha Bushby
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
Some Places More than Others by Renee Watson
A Dangerous Game by Malorie Blackman
Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari
Boy, Everywhere by A.M Dassu
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf
The Million Pieces of Neena Gill (13+) by Emma Smith-Barten
How High the Moon by Karyn Parsens
Run Rebel by Manjeet Mann
When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

Dystopian & Science Fiction

The Maze Runner (& sequels) by J Dashner
Gone (& sequels) or Monster by Michael Grant
I Am Number Four (& sequels) by P Lore
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Legend (& sequels) by Marie Lu
The Knife of Never Letting Go (& sequels) by Patrick Ness
Railhead (& sequels) by Philip Reeve
Divergent (& sequels) by Veronica Roth
Time Riders -by Alex Scarrow
Contagion or Slated (& sequels) by Teri Terry (13+)
The 5th Wave (& sequels) by Rick Yancey

Fantasy, Magic Realism, Horror & Ghost

Artemis Fowl (& sequels) by Eoin Colfer
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Inkheart (& sequels) by Cornelia Funke
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge
Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Skulduggery Pleasant (& sequels) by Derek Landy
Zom-B or Cirque du Freak (& sequels) by Darren Shan
Eragon (& sequels) by Christopher Paolini
Discworld (and other series) by Terry Pratchett
Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley
Northern Lights (& sequels) by Phillip Pullman
Mrs Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Percy Jackson or Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan
The Haunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis
Seven Ghosts by Chris Priestley
Five Nights at Freddy’s by Scott Cawthon

Humorous books

Millions or Cosmic by Frank C Boyce
The World of Norm series by Jonathon Meres
Timmy Failure series by Stephan Pastis
Middle School series by James Patterson
Tom Gates series by Liz Pichon
Socks are not Enough by Mark Lowery
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (& sequels) by Jeff Kinney
Check Mates by Stewart Foster
The Humiliations of Welton Blake by Alex Wheatle (13+)
Gangsta Granny (& more) by David Walliams
Withering Tights (& sequels) by Louise Rennison
Big Nate Series by Lincoln Pierce

Relationships & Tough Situations

Noughts and Crosses, Cloud Busting, Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman
Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari
One, Toffee or Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge
The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster
The Bone Sparrow, The Ones that Disappeared by Zana Fraillion
Shine by Candy Gourlay
Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen
Oranges in No Man’s Land by Elizabeth Laird
Wonder by R.J Palacio
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen
Pax by Sarah Pennypacker
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Sports

Booked, Crossover or Rebound by Kwame Alexander
Ghost, Sunny, Lu and Patina by Jason Reynolds
Football Academy series – Tom Palmer
Foul Play (& sequels) by Tom Palmer
Soccer Squad (and series) by Bali Rai
The Lion Roars by Alan Gibbons
The Jags series by Tom Watt
Ultimate Football Heroes by Mat Oldfield

War & Conflict

Soldier Dog by Sam Angus
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
Auslander by Paul Dowswell
Once (& sequels) by Morris Gleitzman
War Horse or Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Salt to the Sea or Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Valentine Joe by Rebecca Stevens
Resist, Armistice Runner, Arctic Star, D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer
Run Rabbit Run by Barbara Mitchell Hill
Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig
When the Sky Falls or While the Storm Rages by Phil Earle
Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Note to parents: Some books from this list are written for young adult readers; this means there may be occasional ‘gritty’ content. Generally, by Key Stage 3 young people are ready for this, but parents know their children best; if you have queries about suitability, please check online.

Sparx Reader at Clayton Hall Academy

At Key Stage 3, we use Sparx Reader to support and develop our students’ reading skills both in school and at home. Sparx Reader is an engaging online platform that encourages regular, independent reading by matching students with books at the right level for their ability and interests. As students read, they complete short comprehension activities that check understanding and build vocabulary. Teachers can track progress closely and celebrate students’ achievements, ensuring every learner is challenged and supported. Through Sparx Reader, we aim to build confident, fluent readers who develop not only their academic skills but also a lifelong enjoyment of reading.

We encourage you to watch this series of short videos, explaining what Sparx Reader is and how it works.