The National Curriculum serves as a comprehensive guide for educators in England and, at secondary level, Wales. This means students from Key Stage 3 (KS3), years 7 to 9; KS4, years 10 and 11 (GCSE); and KS5, years 12 and 13 (6th form) in state senior schools, that is all schools funded by local authorities across England.
This article outlines the subjects covered at each key stage of the English grammar curriculum to provide a clear roadmap for both educators, parents and students.
Key Stage 3 (KS3)
KS3, encompassing years 7 to 9, forms the foundation of a student’s secondary education before the subject choices are narrowed. English grammar is a crucial component during this stage, aiding in the development of effective communication and writing skills.
The key aspects of the KS3 English grammar curriculum include:
Sentence structure
- Understanding and constructing simple, compound, and complex sentences
- Identifying and using different sentence types for varied purposes. Sentence types include declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory
Parts of speech
- These include word classes such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions
- Noun identification and classification
- Verb usage and tenses
- Adjective and adverb placement and function
- Conjunctions and their role in sentence structure
Punctuation
- Correct use of full stops, commas, apostrophes, colons and semicolons
- Parentheses and dashes
- Understanding the importance of punctuation in conveying meaning
Grammar for writing
- Applying grammar and syntax rules to enhance writing fluency
- Developing proofreading and editing skills
- Subject-verb agreement
- Tense (present, past, future)
- Modal verbs
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect speech
- Conditional sentences
- Relative clauses
- Spelling and strategies for spelling
- Homophones and near-homophones
- Commonly misspelled words
- Understanding and using a wide range of vocabulary
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word roots, prefixes and suffixes
Key Stage 4 (KS4)
KS4, covering years 10 and 11, introduces more advanced grammar concepts as students look at all their subjects in greater depth at this stage. Building upon the foundation laid in KS3, the English curriculum aims to align with the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations that are usually taken at the end of these two years.
Key areas of focus include:
Advanced sentence structure
- Mastery of complex sentence structures
- Understanding the nuances of sentence variety
- Advanced sentence types (e.g., compound-complex sentences)
- Sentence variety and manipulation for effect
Advanced parts of speech
- In-depth exploration of verb moods and voice
- Advanced adjective and adverb usage
- Review of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions
- More advanced understanding of word classes, such as gerunds and participles
Punctuation mastery
- Application of punctuation rules in more complex contexts
- Understanding the impact of punctuation on tone and meaning
- Advanced use of punctuation marks, including ellipses, hyphens and en dashes
- Correct use of punctuation in more complex structures
Grammar and syntax
- Advanced subject-verb agreement
- Subjunctive mood
- Advanced verb tenses (e.g., perfect tenses)
- Clauses and subordination
- Parallel structure
Spelling
- Mastery of spelling rules and patterns
- Etymology and word origins
- Strategies for advanced spelling
Vocabulary
- Advanced vocabulary acquisition
- Precision in word choice
- Use of figurative language
Critical analysis
- Analysing the grammar choices of renowned authors
- Applying grammatical knowledge to critically evaluate texts
Key Stage 5 (KS5)
KS5, comprising years 12 and 13, is the final stage of secondary education in which students currently narrow down their focus to three or four A-level subjects, which are usually taken at the end of these two years. At this level, English is only studied by those students who choose to do so. However, the government is presently considering a British baccalaureate concept where maths and English would become compulsory.
Nevertheless, today, at these levels importance is placed on advanced language skills, preparing students for further education or the workforce. English grammar at KS5 extends beyond the constraints of examinations, fostering a deeper understanding of linguistic principles.
Key elements of A-level English with regards to grammar include:
Linguistic analysis
- Exploring syntax and its impact on meaning
- Analysing the linguistic choices made in various contexts
Creative and academic writing
- Applying advanced grammar concepts to enhance creativity
- Utilising precise grammar in academic and professional writing
Language change and variation
- Investigating historical shifts in English grammar
- Understanding regional and social variations in grammar usage
Independent research
- Undertaking independent projects related to English grammar
- Engaging in scholarly discussions about language evolution
English programmes of study
Of course, GCSE and A-level English include more than just grammar, they cover the practical application of it as part of the entire English subject curriculum.
The English curriculum as a whole covers:
Linguistic analysis
- In-depth study of linguistic theories and models
- Analysis of language variation, including regional and social variation
- Discourse analysis and stylistics
Grammar and syntax
- Advanced understanding of grammatical concepts
- Transformational grammar and syntactic structures
- Analysis of sentence structures in literary and non-literary texts
Semantics and pragmatics
- Study of meaning in language
- Analysis of how context influences interpretation
- Pragmatic principles in communication
Phonetics and phonology
- Study of speech sounds and their production
- Analysis of phonological patterns and features
- Understanding of intonation and prosody
Language change and evolution
- Historical linguistics
- Evolution of the English language
- Sociolinguistic factors influencing language change
Stylistics
- Detailed examination of stylistic features in literature
- Analysis of authorial choices in language use
- Stylistic devices and their effects
Creative and critical writing
- Advanced creative writing, exploring various genres and forms
- Critical analysis of literary texts, considering language choices
- Development of a personal writing style
Practical application
- Application of linguistic theories to real-world situations
- Practical language study, such as language and power or language and gender
Literary theory
- Exploration of various literary theories and approaches
- Application of theory to the analysis of literary texts
Independent research
- Extended projects or dissertations on language-related topics
- Independent research in linguistics or literature
Exam skills
- Preparation for advanced-level assessments and exams
- Advanced critical and analytical skills in responding to questions
Conclusion
The curriculum for the subject of English in senior schools from KS3 to KS5 in England provides a comprehensive and progressive framework for students. It equips them with the skills necessary for effective communication, critical analysis and success in higher education and beyond. Grammar is but one part of the English curriculum, but it is the foundation of all English studies and perhaps the element with the most relevance to all professions.
Educators, whether at home or at school, aim to guide students through each key stage and foster both an understanding of and a love for language that will serve individuals well in the years to come.
Information for this post is taken from the Department for Education for the UK Government.
Further helpful articles are available on the UK Government website.
If you have any further questions or comments, please do add them below.