The English Department
The English Department prides itself on its team spirit and enthusiasm, which we seek to pass on to our students. We hope not only to teach and reinforce basic literacy, but also to encourage pupils to express themselves creatively and become independent thinkers and learners.
Through the study of Literature, we wish to empower students and give them confidence to promote their ideas regardless of their intellectual ability.
The aims of the department are;
- To give all pupils equal opportunities to access the curriculum.
- To provide a safe and secure environment in which all pupils’ opinions and ideas are valued.
- To encourage pupils to creatively express themselves through a variety of media.
At Key Stage 3 all pupils follow units of work covering “Speaking and Listening” and “Reading and Writing”. Each unit is assessed on a half-termly basis and cover the objectives stated in the National Literacy Strategy.
We also encourage self-expression through the delivery of drama
. Pupils study a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts ranging from Shakespeare to Information Websites. Media Studies is incorporated into our programme with pupils analysing and producing their own media texts such as newspapers. We also encourage self-expression through the delivery of drama.
At Key Stage 4 all pupils study English GCSE level. Accounting for 40% of the final mark, coursework plays a major role in the Year 10 programme of study. Pupils study a variety of texts including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, film and respond creatively to drama texts. English literature and media studies are also offered as an option by the department.
The department offers places in an annual Summer School for Literacy
Our literacy co-ordinators works closely with our local partner primary schools, paying regular visits to ensure a smooth transition and thus aid further progress. The department offers places in an annual Summer School for Literacy for pupils in Year 6 transferring to Year 7.
Our department has specialised facilities to help deliver our curriculum including access to a computer suite, interactive whiteboards, digital still cameras and video cameras.
further studies via means of courses during the school holidays
The department allows pupils to access further studies via means of courses during the school holidays and after the school day itself. For several years now we have ran literacy summer schools. More recently we have organised revision clubs for all pupils both after school and during holidays.
We also run popular media and drama clubs after school, wherever possible we seek to take pupils on theatre visits and poetry conferences.
