English

 

We are very proud of the way in which our students respond to their study of English at all key stages.  Students indicate that they appreciate the way in which the subject is delivered to be relevant to their daily lives and experiences, alongside providing them with lifelong skills.

We aim to:-

  • Provide an academically ambitious but thoroughly enjoyable and accessible curriculum which will bring out the best in each student.

  • Create a positive atmosphere and stimulating environment which will facilitate and enhance learning for all.

  • Instil a lifelong love of literature.

  • Provide pupils with the knowledge, confidence and skills they require to express themselves appropriately.

  • Develop student’s moral and cultural understanding of themselves and the world in which they live.

KS3

 

All students follow theme based units which allow them to develop skills in the three key areas:

  • Reading.

  • Writing.

  • Speaking and Listening

Students are assessed once a term in each of these areas and will all read a Shakespeare play at least once a year.  Alongside covering our rich literary heritage, students will be introduced to more modern texts chosen by their teachers.
All students at KS3 have a reading lesson during the course of the two week timetable.  This allows them to develop or gain a love of reading.  Students visit the library on a regular basis.  Visits from published authors take place to allow students to find out more about the process of writing.
Students at KS3 are well prepared for their GCSE and will spend the last term in Y9 working on areas specific to their GCSE course.  For example students will start their study of key poems.  Achievement at KS3 is extremely good.

KS4

 

All students follow the AQA GCSE course for English Language and Literature.  Students are set into two broad bands across six classes.  This offers all students access to every aspect of English teaching and learning.  Assessment at GCSE is at two levels – Foundation (C-U) and Higher (A* - U); the nature of the two levels is such that students in a lower group are able to take the Higher paper.  We are committed to this approach to teaching and learning which allows all of our students to achieve their full potential.  We are very proud of our results which reflect both the high value that students place upon out subject and the commitment of their teachers.
Students study a variety of texts, genres and styles of writing.  These come from our wide heritage and from different cultures.  Although we have no formal reading lessons at KS4, students are encouraged to continue reading for pleasure. Results at this level are consistently high.

KS5

 

Students are offered the choice of studying either English Language or Literature.

English Language offers students the opportunity to analysing the fascinating aspects of linguistics.  These include looking at the way in which children acquire language, the particular grammatical and syntactical construction of our language and the way in which word usage differs throughout English speaking areas.  Students follow the AQA B syllabus.


English Literature allows students to extend their love and appreciation of our vast literary heritage.  Throughout the course students study a variety of plays, prose and poetry.  The skills that they develop are widely recognised as being of high value.  Students are also encouraged to read widely to extend their knowledge and for pleasure.
Results in both these subject areas are consistently above the national average.