At CEDARS Short Stay School, English supports pupils to re‑engage with learning and develop the communication and literacy skills needed for everyday life and future pathways. The curriculum is designed to meet pupils at their starting points and address gaps caused by disrupted education.
English is taught through engaging fiction and non‑fiction units at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Each unit is delivered over a half‑term and embeds reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills, ensuring regular and consistent literacy development.
KS3 units include themes such as Heroes and Villains, The Gothic Genre, Dystopian Fiction, Journalism, and Crime Drama. At KS4, pupils study units including Stories of Survival, Contemporary Literature, Social Media and the Modern World, and Myths and Legends.
Teaching takes place in small groups and is personalised, using high‑interest texts, discussion, and scaffolded tasks to build confidence and independence. Pupils are assessed regularly, with KS4 pupils working towards Edexcel Functional Skills English or GCSE English Language in Year 11, where appropriate.
Our aim is for pupils to leave CEDARS able to read with confidence, communicate clearly, and progress successfully to their next stage of education or training.