English

Introduction

The study of English provides many opportunities for students to develop their understanding of language and literature and become analytical readers.

Students develop many skills while studying English, namely:

• Speaking and listening –ability to formulate, clarify and express ideas within a range of circumstances
• Reading –ability to read, understand and respond to a wide range of texts and appreciate the ways authors achieve their effects
• Writing –ability to organise, present and develop ideas in an effective style, using accurate expression.

Key Stage 3

Students in Year 7 start work on the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for English, providing continuity with Key Stage 2 work. Lessons involve a wide range of language and literature activities, focusing on:

• Writing to entertain: All About Me!
• Reading for meaning: The Gothic
• Writing to inform, explain and advise: Surviving LCA
• Author study: Roald Dahl
• Writing to persuade: Balloon Debate
• Developing interpretations: Poetry

In Year 8, students use the skills they have learnt in Year 7 to access more challenging tasks and texts, including:

• Transposing, form and structure: Writing a Script
• Exploring how writers use language: Travel Writing
• Writing to inform: Non-fiction and Newspaper Articles
• Author study: Arthur Conan Doyle
• Writing to argue: Hobbler’s Hole
• Developing interpretations: Elizabethan Drama

Year 9 is designed to prepare students for the demands of KS4, where students will study:

• Controlling writing: Short Stories
• Author study: Charles Dickens and ‘A Christmas Carol’
• Writing to argue, inform and persuade: Creating your own newspaper
• Reading for meaning: Armitage and Duffy
• Writing: The Tempest
• Reading: The Tempest

During KS3, students have lots of opportunities to enjoy extra-curricular activities, including competitions, projects, trips, workshops and author visits. Our new schemes of work provide students with a wide range of engaging activities and through this, students develop key skills throughout the Key Stage. Pupils are assessed on reading, writing and spoken language throughout the three years.

Key Stage 3 Recommended Reading

The department is well resourced and includes six interactive whiteboards, a computer room and 15 iPad minis for use in lessons. Students are encouraged to enjoy their English studies by a team of staff who provide lively, stimulating and interactive lessons.

Key Stage 4

Students in English follow the national curriculum. They will build upon the skills and knowledge developed throughout Key Stage 3. Enrichment opportunities will enable students to value English as a subject which affects their daily lives and has the potential to bring pleasure and enjoyment. English at Key Stage 4 will develop independence and encourage resilience. Students will study a variety of text types across a range of time periods and will develop their own interpretations of texts.

In year 10 students will study English Literature and will sit the AQA 1 / 2 Certificate ( IGCSE). They will complete an extended project where they will compare two texts. The summer examination will include a response to unseen poetry and a response to a set text.

In year 11 students will study Cambridge IGCSE English. They will study a variety of non fiction texts and will complete a portfolio comprising of three pieces of writing. Students will also complete three tasks as part of their speaking and listening coursework. The summer examination will consist of three responses to two unseen texts.

Key Stage 5

A-Level English Literature

AS/A2 English Literature gives students an exciting opportunity to read, discuss and interpret some fascinating and important literature in depth and detail, and to reach a good understanding of the underlying factors which shape our literary culture and interpretation. Strong commitment and motivation are necessary to make a success of this course, it is therefore important that AS and A2 literature should only be undertaken by those for whom reading is a great pleasure.

Creative Writing

Our AQA Creative Writing A level course has been incredibly popular with students. This is a new A level course and we are currently one of only a few schools to be offering this opportunity.