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Key Stage 3 · Year 9 English
Online KS3 Year 9 English Course
Develop confident reading, writing and analytical skills through a varied Year 9 English course covering classic and modern literature, Shakespeare, poetry, media and persuasive writing.
The course brings together the key English Language and Literature skills students need during the final year of Key Stage 3, with structured lessons, activities and regular opportunities to check progress.
Immediate access to the online course
30 lessons across six English modules
Optional tutor marking, email support and printed materials
Start your Year 9 English course
£14.99 / month
Today’s payment:
£24.99
Includes:
- Course materials subscription
- Academic induction session and booking fee
Then
£14.99 per month
🔒 Minimum 6 months subscription applies.
For schools, colleges and local authorities
Build an institutional learner package
Choose the course access and support required for each learner. All options selected below apply to the number of identical learner places in this package.
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Choose the number of places
Enter the number of learners who need the same course and package of support.
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Select the support required
Add printed materials, assignment marking, practice exam marking or Annual Email Tutor Support as required.
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Allocate learners later
Learner details are not required at checkout. Allocate each purchased place later through your institutional account.
Choosing the right package
Annual course access is included for every learner place. Add only the extra services needed by the learners in this package.
Please note: Assignment marking and Email Tutor Support are separate services. Email support covers brief questions and guidance; it does not replace assignment marking or individual tuition.
Package selection
Configure your learner places
The selections below apply to every learner place entered in this package.
Course overview
Year 9 English course at a glance
Develop increasingly mature reading, writing and analytical skills through a structured home-study course covering novels, Shakespeare, modern drama, poetry, media and non-fiction.
Course level
Key Stage 3 · Year 9
A structured English course covering the skills and material appropriate to the final year of Key Stage 3.
Course structure
6 modules · 30 lessons
Study novels, Shakespeare, modern drama, poetry, media and non-fiction across a varied Year 9 programme.
Literature
Classic and modern texts
Study writers including George Orwell, William Shakespeare, Joan Lingard and Thomas Hardy.
English skills
Reading, analysis and writing
Develop understanding of language and literature while learning to communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
Assignments
10 tutor-marked assignments
Regular assignments provide opportunities to demonstrate understanding and develop well-structured written answers.
Assessment
No formal Year 9 exam
Progress is checked through activities, self-assessment and Tutor-marked Assignments rather than a final SATs examination.
Parent support
Guidance for every module
Separate Parents’ Guides provide lesson guidance, suggested answers and help with areas students may find difficult.
Progression
Final year of Key Stage 3
Strengthen the reading, writing and analytical skills needed for more advanced secondary English study.
A broad final year of Key Stage 3 English
Year 9 combines literature, language and writing across a wide variety of texts, helping students develop confidence and independence before moving on to more advanced study.
How it works
How your Year 9 English course works
Work through a clear sequence of lessons, reading, writing activities and assessments designed to develop your understanding of English Language and Literature and strengthen independent study skills.
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Enrol and start online
Enrol at any time and receive immediate access to your online course. Your included academic induction session helps you understand the course and plan your studies.
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Work through structured lessons
Each lesson sets out clear aims and explains how the topic fits into the wider course before guiding you through reading, activities and written work.
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Check your understanding
Activities and self-assessment exercises help you review what you have learned, while Tutor-marked Assignments provide regular opportunities to demonstrate your progress.
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Develop more independent skills
Build confidence in analysing literature, handling information and producing well-structured written responses as you progress through the final year of Key Stage 3.
Flexible additional support
Add personal support when you need it
The course can be studied independently using the lesson materials, activities and suggested answers. Tutor marking, email support, one-to-one tutorials and printed materials can be purchased separately when useful.
What you’ll study
Explore the Year 9 English course content
The course is organised into six modules and 30 structured lessons, moving through novels, media and non-fiction, Shakespeare, modern drama and poetry before finishing with an extended study of Thomas Hardy.
Module 1 George Orwell: Animal Farm Explore characterisation, power, language, themes and structure through George Orwell’s influential novel. 5 lessons
- George Orwell’s Animal Farm
- Characterisation in Animal Farm
- Power and language
- Themes and structure
- George Orwell’s view of the world
Module 2 Media and non-fiction Learn to handle information, write persuasively and develop descriptive and literary non-fiction skills. 5 lessons
- Introducing media and non-fiction
- Handling information
- Writing to persuade
- Literary non-fiction; descriptive writing
- Media and non-fiction revision
Module 3 Shakespeare Develop confidence with Shakespeare through a focused study of The Tempest, its plot, characters and themes. 5 lessons
- Introduction to Shakespeare
- The Tempest plot, themes and character
- The Tempest, scene 1
- The Tempest, scene 2
- Shakespeare revision
Module 4 Across the Barricades Explore modern drama through Joan Lingard’s story adapted for the stage, considering character, dialogue and structure. 5 lessons
- Introduction to modern drama
- Across the Barricades: scenes 1–6
- Across the Barricades: scenes 7–10
- Across the Barricades: scenes 11–20
- Modern drama: revision
Module 5 Poetry Study rhythm, metre, rhyme and poetic form before developing skills in interpretation and comparison. 5 lessons
- Poetry: rhythm, metre, rhyme
- Making poems come to life
- Poetic forms
- Comparing poems
- Poetry: revision
Module 6 Far from the Madding Crowd Finish with Thomas Hardy, exploring characterisation, setting, themes, structure, plot, style and viewpoint. 5 lessons
- Introduction to Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd
- Hardy’s Characters and Characterisation
- Setting and Themes
- Structure and Plot
- Style and Viewpoint
A challenging and varied Year 9 programme
Students work with fiction, drama, poetry and non-fiction, developing the ability to interpret texts, compare ideas and communicate increasingly sophisticated responses.
Assessment and progress
How progress is assessed in Year 9 English
There are no compulsory SATs or formal examinations at the end of Year 9. Instead, progress is checked throughout the course through activities, self-assessment and Tutor-marked Assignments.
Tutor-marked assignments
10 TMAs
10
Assignments
6
Course modules
Ongoing
Progress checks
Tutor-marked assignments are distributed throughout the course and give students and parents a clear indication of how well understanding and written skills are progressing.
Self-assessment
Throughout the course
Many lessons
Include a check
Short tests
Review learning
Regular
Understanding checks
Self-assessment activities test recall and understanding of lesson content and accompanying texts, helping students identify areas that may need further work.
Formal examinations
No compulsory Year 9 SATs
Students are no longer required to sit formal SATs at or near the end of Year 9.
Written English
Develop structured responses
Assignments give students opportunities to organise ideas, support arguments and communicate clearly in writing.
Literary analysis
Explore language and literature
Students analyse novels, drama and poetry while considering character, language, themes, structure and viewpoint.
Parent support
Guidance for every module
Parents’ Guides provide suggested answers, practical guidance and support with reviewing activities and discussing progress.
Completing Key Stage 3
Build confidence for more advanced English
Year 9 brings together the language, literature and independent study skills developed throughout Key Stage 3, providing a strong platform for the next stage of secondary English.
Support & add-ons
Add extra English support when you need it
Your course subscription provides the structured online materials needed for independent study. Additional tutor support, marking and printed materials can be purchased separately whenever they would be useful.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Submit individual course assignments and receive detailed tutor feedback on interpretation, analysis, organisation, written argument, accuracy and areas for improvement.
Assignment marking bundle£89.91
Support for parents
Parents’ Guides
Each module includes guidance for parents, with lesson aims, suggested answers and practical advice to help support increasingly independent Year 9 English study.
Parents’ Guides Included with the course
Ongoing guidance
Email Tutor Support
Ask English questions by email while working through the course and receive help with difficult texts, analytical techniques or writing tasks.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Live tuition
One-to-one tutorials
Book an individual online session with a tutor to discuss a text, strengthen analytical writing or get extra help with a particular area of English.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Printed materials
English course pack
Add a printed, spiral-bound copy of the course materials if you prefer to read, annotate and plan written responses away from the screen.
Printed course materials£50.00
Flexible by design
Choose only what you need
Study independently using the course materials and Parents’ Guides, then add tutor marking, email support, tutorials or printed materials if your needs change.
Explore your options
See all available English support
Prospective students can compare the different support services. Existing students can purchase English marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Year 9 English course
Find answers about starting the course, studying English at home, assessment, Year 9 SATs, parent support and the additional tutor support available.
Can I start the Year 9 English course at any time?
Yes. You can enrol and begin studying when it suits you, then work through the course at a pace that fits your home education timetable.
What does the Year 9 English course cover?
The course develops English Language and Literature skills through novels, Shakespeare, modern drama, poetry, media, non-fiction and persuasive writing.
How is the course structured?
The course contains 30 lessons arranged across six modules, covering Animal Farm, media and non-fiction, Shakespeare, Across the Barricades, poetry and Far from the Madding Crowd.
Do Year 9 students have to take SATs?
No. Students are no longer required to take formal SATs at or near the end of Year 9. Progress in this course is checked through activities, self-assessment and Tutor-marked Assignments.
Which authors and texts are studied?
Major texts include George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the playscript of Across the Barricades and Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, alongside poetry, media and non-fiction.
How many Tutor-marked Assignments are there?
There are 10 Tutor-marked Assignments across the six modules. They provide regular opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned and monitor their progress.
Is tutor marking included in the subscription?
The course materials include all 10 Tutor-marked Assignments. Tutor marking is purchased separately, allowing you to add marking for individual assignments or purchase a marking bundle when useful.
Can I get help from a tutor?
Yes. Optional support includes assignment marking, Email Tutor Support and one-to-one online tutorials, allowing you to add extra help when you need it.
Is there guidance for parents?
Yes. Each module has a separate Parents’ Guide containing guidance on lesson content and aims, suggested answers, practical advice and help with topics students may find difficult.
What comes after Year 9 English?
Year 9 completes Key Stage 3 English and develops the reading, writing and analytical skills students will use as they move into more advanced secondary English study.
Ready to begin?
Start your online Year 9 English course
Enrol at any time and develop confident reading, writing and analytical skills through a structured, flexible Key Stage 3 home-study course.
- Start studying at any time
- Immediate access to the online course
- Complete the final year of Key Stage 3 English
Start your English course
Return to the enrolment panel to review today’s payment and add the course to your basket.