Stone Cold by Robert Swindells | Complete KS3 English Scheme of Work | Full Novel Unit

A complete and fully resourced KS3 English scheme of work for teaching Stone Cold by Robert Swindells. This unit is designed to support students in understanding the novel’s powerful themes, analysing Swindells’ methods and developing their own analytical, descriptive and argumentative writing.

The scheme explores the novel through a clear sequence of lessons covering context, character, dual narrative, homelessness, survival, isolation, symbolism, motifs, tension, narrative techniques and real-world issues. It is ideal for Year 7 or Year 8.

Students are guided through the novel step by step, with opportunities to read, discuss, annotate, analyse, write and reflect. The lessons include retrieval starters, vocabulary development, guided reading questions, quotation work, discussion tasks, writing scaffolds, assessment preparation and DIRT-style improvement.

What is included?

• A full sequence of detailed PowerPoint lessons
• Introductory lesson on Stone Cold, Robert Swindells and key themes
• Context lessons exploring homelessness in the UK
• Lessons on Link and Shelter as contrasting characters
• Dual narrative and contrasting voices
• Accent, dialect, semantic fields and character voice
• Theme lessons on survival, homelessness, isolation, loneliness and societal neglect
• Symbolism and motifs, including Link’s coat, Link’s watch, train stations and Shelter’s uniform
• Narrative techniques including first person perspective, foreshadowing, flashbacks and stream of consciousness
• Lessons on tension, conflict, climax and resolution
• Spoken language and discussion tasks
• Descriptive writing tasks linked to Link’s experience
• Argumentative writing lessons on homelessness
• Assessment preparation and feedback/ improvement lessons
• Retrieval, hinge questions, peer assessment and self assessment activities

Key skills covered:

• Understanding authorial intent
• Analysing character development
• Exploring themes and social issues
• Analysing language, structure and narrative voice
• Using quotations effectively
• Writing thesis statements and topic sentences
• Developing WHAT/HOW/WHY analytical paragraphs
• Annotating extracts in detail
• Writing descriptively using sensory language and imagery
• Writing persuasively and argumentatively
• Building empathy and critical thinking

The scheme places strong emphasis on helping students understand both the literary world of the novel and the real-world issues it reflects. Students explore homelessness, survival, vulnerability and societal neglect while developing their ability to write thoughtful, evidence-based responses.