English lessons at KS3 and 4 combine English Language and Literature and aim to inspire a love of learning and foster effective communication through sensitive speaking, listening, reading and writing. Speaking and Listening activities at all Key Stages are purposeful and varied, encouraging students to share their views, listen empathetically and debate ideas, respecting others’ opinions. Students learn to speak with confidence in a range of contexts and to express themselves with fluency and insight.

We aim for students to become life-long, discerning readers. They read texts of many different genres, styles and forms, that are representative of the rich and diverse society in which we live.  Students learn to write in a range of different forms to enable them to access opportunities. They learn to express themselves clearly and accurately when writing. Lessons are discussion-based and students read aloud, share ideas, debate opinions, deliver speeches and listen with sensitivity. The English department works closely with the school libraries to provide a broad and exciting selection of enrichment opportunities to nurture reading, writing and discussion beyond the curriculum.

Course Content

Years 7-9

Each year students read a novel, a full Shakespeare play, non-fiction resources and a range of poetry. They read and perform plays and consider the ideas and content of texts in exciting and engaging lessons that generate meaningful debate. They analyse language and writers’ methods and how these shape meaning. Students will write in a range of different styles, both creatively and analytically.

Years 10 and 11

Students follow the AQA specification for English Language and Literature.

Language: they read both fiction and non-fiction, identifying explicit and implicit information and drawing inferences from the material under discussion. They evaluate writer’s craft and find links between texts. They learn to write both creatively and for transactional purposes. They research, write and deliver a speech on a complex topic.

Literature: students read and discuss: Romeo and Juliet, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Lord of the Flies and the Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology. They respond to unseen poetry and learn to express their views on literature in cogent essays

Years 12 & 13

English Literature A level: Edexcel Board

Students study for 3 papers: Drama, Prose and Poetry; they complete a comparative coursework essay on two further texts.

Drama: Othello and a modern play: Sweat by Lynn Nottage or A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

Prose: The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dracula.

Poetry: The Poetry of John Keats and a selection of 21^st Poetry.

English Language A level: AQA Board

Students study for 2 papers:

Textual variations and representations and Children's language development.

Language Variation and Change.

They complete two pieces of coursework, one with a creative element.

Co-Curricular Opportunities:

Creative Writing Club

Lit Soc [A level students]

Year 9 Speaking and Listening Symposium

Poetry By Heart [national competition]

New Views Playwrighting Group

Poet Laureate Programme [within school and nationally]

Page Turners Reading Group [library-based]

Carnegie Shadowing Group [library-based]

Christmas Poetry Competition [poems to be performed at the Christmas Concert]

Christmas Creative Writing Programme for Year 7

Summer Poetry Competition and Evening Celebration

Student Librarian Programme-including trips

DofE Volunteering group in the library

Visiting Theatre Company ‘The Globe Players’ perform to students in Year 9 and 10. The sixth form attend theatre visits.

We have visiting authors and poets during EMD Week at the end of term 1 and our student Poet Laureates are mentored by published poet, author and educator, Nathalie Abi-Ezzi.

Greater Depth

Students read widely around the subject, making use of the resources in the library and those to which we subscribe: Massolit [online lectures]; Emagazine.

Students visit plays, listen to Podcasts and broaden their knowledge of our set texts with their own research. They watch plays on Digital Theatre to consider multiple different interpretations.

Testimonials

KS4 student, “Texts are intriguing and there is lots to debate in lessons. Lessons are engaging and the clubs are great: we learnt a lot in Creative Writing club that we have used in our GCSEs”

KS5 student, “ Studying English at A level is fulfilling and stimulating. I’m loving learning about gothic literature.”