English
English Department
Our department aims to provide an exceptional experience of English and Media Studies, to share our passion for Language, Literature and to embed the confidence and skills that underpin success in every aspect of the curriculum and beyond. Supporting our students to become creative, confident writers, engaging speakers and passionate readers is at the heart of our approach to teaching and learning.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum information
Years 7-8
In Year 7, 8 and 9 students study Language and Literature in an integrated way. They explore a wide range of high quality texts including the C19th texts ‘A Christmas Carol’ and the Sherlock Holmes stories, two plays by Shakespeare, poetry from a range of eras, modern drama and a selection of extracts and short stories from a range of genres. Alongside their study of significant works of literature, students are taught how to develop their own writing in a range of forms and genres.
Students also enjoy a 100 minute reading lesson in the LRC combining independent reading and a shared class reader; this approach supports their growth as engaged and informed readers. There are also regular opportunities in lesson to develop students’ discursive and public speaking skills supporting them to become confident and expressive public speakers.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum information:
Years 10-11
Students in Year 10-11 study Edexcel GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. Again, Language and Literature are taught in an integrated way, allowing students to consistently develop skills in both GCSE subjects, making good use of the high quality models from the GCSE Literature course to help shape their own distinct writing styles and analytical skills as readers.
Students study a wide range of texts from a choice set by the exam board; for students in Year 10 and 11 these will include a C19th novel, ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, ‘Macbeth’ by Shakespeare, a collection of fifteen poems from the Edexcel Anthology and J. B. Priestley’s post 1914 British play, ‘An Inspector Calls’.
As well as studying these texts in class, wherever possible students will have the opportunity to see texts in performance and to participate in in-school workshops, to fully develop their understanding and interpretations of their set texts.
Careers in English
English teacher, writer, critic, playwright, poet, journalist, copywriter, blogger, lawyer, solicitor, advertising account management, TV production, film production, lexicographer, marketing manager, public relations, proof reader, copy editor, social media manager.
