1. Framework home
  2. Introduction
  3. English
  4. Mathematics
  5. Science
  6. ICT
  7. Help

Overview: the ten strands of progression

The ten strands in the renewed Framework for secondary English, which describe progression in key processes and skills across the secondary age range, are listed here.

The ten strands of progression

Speaking and listening

Pupils will explore, develop and respond to a range of skills and strategies, in a variety of contexts, adapting language according to task, audience and purpose.
Strands Substrands

1 Listening and responding

1.1 Developing active listening skills and strategies

1.2 Understanding and responding to what speakers say in formal and informal contexts

2 Speaking and presenting

2.1 Developing and adapting speaking skills and strategies in formal and informal contexts

2.2 Using and adapting the conventions and forms of spoken texts

3 Group discussion and interaction

3.1 Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies in formal and informal contexts

3.2 Taking roles in group discussion

4 Drama, role-play and performance

4.1 Using different dramatic approaches to explore ideas, texts and issues

4.2 Developing, adapting and responding to dramatic techniques, conventions and styles

Reading

Pupils will engage with, and respond to, a rich variety of print, electronic and multi-modal texts, developing analysis and awareness of the forms and purposes of writing, and the contexts and cultures within which they were written.
Strands Substrands

5 Reading for meaning: understanding and responding to print, electronic and multi-modal texts

5.1 Developing and adapting active reading skills and strategies

5.2 Understanding and responding to ideas, viewpoints, themes and purposes in texts

5.3 Reading and engaging with a wide and varied range of texts

6 Understanding the author's craft

6.1 Relating texts to the social, historical and cultural contexts in which they were written

6.2 Analysing how writers' use of linguistic and literary features shapes and influences meaning

6.3 Analysing writers' use of organisation, structure, layout and presentation

Writing

Pupils will write a wide range of texts on paper and on screen for different purposes and audiences, adapting features and techniques to create a range of effects and impact.
Strands Substrands

7 Composition: generating ideas, planning and drafting

7.1 Generating ideas, planning and drafting

7.2 Using and adapting the conventions and forms of texts on paper and on screen

8 Composition: shaping and constructing language for expression and effect

8.1 Developing viewpoint, voice and ideas

8.2 Varying sentences and punctuation for clarity and effect

8.3 Improving vocabulary for precision and impact

8.4 Developing varied linguistic and literary techniques

8.5 Structuring, organising and presenting texts in a variety of forms on paper and on screen

8.6 Developing and using editing and proofreading skills on paper and on screen

9 Conventions: drawing on conventions and structures

9.1 Using the conventions of standard English

9.2 Using grammar accurately and appropriately

9.3 Reviewing spelling and increasing knowledge of word derivations, patterns and families

Language

Pupils will explore the significance of English and the variations in its use and development, and comment on how language is used across a variety of contexts and situations.
Strands Substrands

10 Exploring and analysing language

10.1 Exploring language variation and development according to time, place, culture, society and technology

10.2 Commenting on language use

The overview and the learning objectives are available in PDF format.

The Framework for secondary English: overview and learning objectives (201 KB)