English
Subject Overview
The English Faculty is situated in the main school building in four dedicated English classrooms. Here we employ both traditional and innovative methods to match the needs of all our students.
The National Curriculum identifies the three main areas of language learning as Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Our task as teachers of English is to allow the development of these areas of learning by providing varied, stimulating and demanding situations and experiences for our students so that each individual is encouraged to reach and maintain the highest level of attainment, commensurate with his or her ability.
The study of literature extends our students’ awareness of the world and develops their skills of critical analysis, empathy and discrimination.
It is a genuine love of language and literature that motivates us in our drive for progress. We draw from students’ own interests and experiences to give further support to lesson material in order to develop – and enjoy – English for life.
English Subject Staff
| Miss Snowden | Head of English |
| Mr McCarrick | Teacher of English |
| Miss Scott | Teacher of English / PD Curriculum & Aspirations Lead |
| Mr Harrison | Teacher of English |
Key Stage 3 English
At Key Stage 3, we teach units of work that balance a range of reading and writing skills. We assess the students twice each unit, using a variety of assessment and feedback strategies. Each unit of work provides students with plenty of opportunities to develop their reading skills, with a key focus on students' ability to comprehend what they have read. Students in KS3 will also complete lessons using 'Bedrock' software. This is an effective online series of lessons which focuses on developing students' vocabularies.
Key Stage 4 English Language and English Literature
At Key Stage 4 we follow the AQA syllabus for English Language and EDUQAS syllabus for English Literature. The course is carefully structured in order to ensure thorough coverage of each set text. Each aspect of the course is covered with a formative and summative assessment, alongside full paper assessments in the December and March of Year 11 in the practice examinations.
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it until it begins to shine.”
Emily Dickinson (poet)
