English Overview

Kirstie Round
Head of English

Head of Department

Please email Kirstie Round if you need to make an enquiry about English.

Curriculum Time

At Key Stage Three (Years 7 and 8) students receive seven hours of English a fortnight. In Key Stage Four (Years 9, 10 and 11) students receive eight hours of English a fortnight; these lessons incorporate the study of both English Literature and Language.

Homework

In all years students will receive two homeworks per week from English. Homework could be independent reading, spellings, research or consolidation of work completed in lesson. Homework is an integral part of the English curriculum and provides students with the opportunity to embed their learning and develop their skills and understanding.

Class Groupings

Students are set in ability groups for English in all years. All ability groups follow a similar curriculum though the pace of learning and the depth of analysis required may vary across the range of ability groups.
GCSE Syllabuses

Students follow the AQA English Language (8700) and English Literature (8702) syllabus.

Rooming and Resources

We have five specialist English rooms some with interactive whiteboards. Each classroom has access to well equipped computer rooms which enable students to develop their cultural capital. The English department also benefits from a fantastically stocked library and expert librarian.

Departmental Ethos

The teachers in the English department are committed to developing critical and creative thinkers who collaborate and communicate effectively. The English teachers help students learn to read critically, evaluate rhetorical strategies, write analytically, speak effectively, and view diverse, complex texts thoughtfully, so they will have the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex, ever-changing world.

We seek to inspire and motivate our students – to help them become life-long learners and to understand that reading, writing, spoken language are universal skills that will be used throughout their lives. We strongly believe that the study of language and the imaginative world of literature will help our students to gain empathy, demonstrate tolerance, and consider other perspectives so they can better understand themselves and the world in which they live.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We offer a range extra-curricular opportunities including book groups, theatre visits, writing workshops, opportunities to see visiting authors and entering speaking and writing competitions. There is lots to get involved with!