English

Teachers & Roles in Department

Mr R Benn - Acting Head of English, Course Leader of Media Studies, Teacher of KS5 Language and Literature, KS4 English Teacher
Mrs A Ross - Teacher of English KS3 and KS4, Teacher of Media Studies, Department ITT and NQT mentor, KS3 English Co-ordinator (maternity cover)
Miss L-L Dale - Teacher of English KS3 and KS5 English Literature.  Leading Schools Outreach programme
Mr O Francis - Teacher of English KS3, KS4 and KS5, Course Leader of A Level English Literature, Department MLE Champion
Miss A Knott - Teacher of English KS3, KS4 and KS5. NQT
Ms M Lyons - Teacher of English KS4
Mr H Moore - Teacher of English KS3 and KS5 English Literature.  Leading Schools Outreach
Mr P Moore-Bridger - Teacher of English KS3
Mrs C Pickles - Teacher of English KS3 and KS4
Mr C Ponsford - Teacher of KS5 English Literature

Mrs J Verney - KS3 English Co-ordinator, Literacy Co-ordinator, Teacher of English KS3, KS4 and KS5 English Language

Ms J Waller - Acting Second in Department, Course Leader of A Level Language and Language & Literature, KS4 Co-ordinator, LRC Co-ordinator, Teacher of English KS4, KS5 Language and Language & Literature 

About English

The English Department aims to develop skill and confidence in the three key areas of English : Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. All three are of equal value in the department and a wide variety of activities and strategies are used to help pupils engage with these important communication skills.

The department is housed in five classrooms, all of which have interactive whiteboards, overhead projectors and access to TV, Video and DVD equipment. We also have a bank of laptop computers which can be used in lessons.

We have close links with the library and all Y7 pupils have the library system explained, are issued with a card and have one lesson per fortnight based in the library.

The department is well stocked with a range of fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction texts. The study of media, classic drama and fiction is also supported by an extensive collection of videos and DVD’s.

Curriculum

KS3

Pupils follow the National Literacy Strategy Programme of Study. Schemes of work have been designed to :

• Address the objectives outlined in the NLS.
• Ensure pupils experience a wide range of literacy, non fiction and media texts.
• Enable pupils to make progress towards final KS3 assessment.

KS4

Pupils study for two GCSE qualifications : English and English Literature.

We are currently following WJEC GCSE Specification A. This includes coursework (a total of six pieces) most of which is completed in Y10. Speaking and Listening assessments are made throughout the course. Final examinations consist of three two hour papers.

KS5

Three AS/A2 courses are offered in the department :

• English Literature (AQA Specification A)
• English Language (AQA Specification B)
• Combined English Language & Literature (AQA Specification B)
• Media Studies

Homework

It is our policy to set homework every week for all classes in years 7 – 11. A variety of tasks may be set and the homework should not always be writing. Reading, research, revision and spelling practice are commonly set. Pupils are told at the beginning of the year that if no formal homework is set by the teacher, then they should use the time to do private reading in addition to any that they might normally do.

The homework demands made upon sixth formers will vary, but students are expected to read widely and review class notes in addition to formal assignments.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Typical activities, visits and clubs offered to students are :

• Theatre and Cinema Trips.
• A level study days, lectures and workshops.
• Visiting theatre groups in school.
• ‘Bookworms’ reading groups in the library.
• Public Speaking
• Wordplay Wednesday (lunchtime word game club in the English area) 

We also work closely with the drama department and encourage and support pupil participation in school productions.