Academic Departments
English
English is usually taught in groups set according to ability; this enables students to learn at their own pace, with the appropriate challenge and support. The aim of the English Department is to develop confident independent learners, who are able to communicate clearly.
The opportunity for boys and girls to learn together is particularly important to us; we believe that there is benefit to both genders in the exchange of views and values. The aims of the Department are;
- to motivate and engage students in both English language and literature
- to inspire a love of literature and creative writing
- to enthuse students to become independent and enquiring readers
- to develop clear oral and written skills of communication and to provide a firm grounding in basic language skills and conventions
Curriculum
Throughout KS3, we place an emphasis on reading and students study a class text every half-term. In addition, a programme of independent reading is initiated and maintained through all three years.
Year 7
Students encounter a range of texts from Greek Myths to Shakespeare. They learn to understand and analyse what they have read and respond to it creatively, both orally and in their writing. The exploration of ideas is encouraged through class discussions.
Year 8
Students build on the skills developed in Year 7 and broaden their knowledge of literature and non-fiction, and more specifically of the media, developing the ability to compare effectively across texts. Oral communication is extended through individual presentations.
Year 9
Students are prepared for the forthcoming GCSE through the encouragement of wider reading and the consolidation of a variety of writing techniques. Their skills of analysis and evaluation are honed through close study and comparison of poetry as well as other literary texts.
GCSE
Through the two year programme students follow the AQA specifications. They complete a number of controlled assessments and are prepared for three final exams. Both English Language and English Literature are studied and include a range of non-fiction and literary texts, as well as poetry; a wide variety of written skills are taught.
A Level
Both English Literature and English Language are offered at A Level. The courses studied provide variety and students learn skills of research, analysis and evaluation. Although students are always supported, we encourage the capacity to work and think as individuals. Small group sizes enable students to exchange ideas in a mutually-supportive environment and to become confident independent learners.
Rooms and Resources
There are three dedicated classrooms and a smaller A Level teaching room, each featuring a data projector; in addition there is a departmental interactive white board. The Department has a wide range of texts and visual resources for students to study which is updated each year. Much use is made of ICT resources in our teaching.
Fieldwork/Extra Curricular/Educational Visits
Students are encouraged to enter a variety of non-fiction and creative writing competitions both internal and external. We aim for a theatre experience for each year group. There are also various reading and speaking groups taking place at lunchtimes.