English Language and Literature
General Overview
English at our school aims to create an inclusive and positive learning environment via collaborative learning. We aim to promote independence and confidence through reading a variety of texts, literacy based tasks and spoken language. We utilise whole school initiatives to develop vocabulary, focus and imagination.
Key Stage 3 – Functional Skills
As part of the Key Stage 3 English curriculum, we study a wide range of texts including Charles Dickens novels, Shakespeare, Victorian monsters and poetry from other cultures. We focus on spelling and grammar throughout all key stages as well as development of speaking and listening abilities to promote confidence and learn key skills via spoken language.
Key Stage 4
The Key Stage 4 English Department offers entry 1,2,3, level 1 and level 2 Functional Skills, which focuses on giving students practical skills for the modern world and helps them get the most from life, learning and work. This specification aims to ensure students have good communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This course can be used in preparation for GCSE English.
GCSE English focuses on reading a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction. Students will evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts, summarise and synthesise information or ideas from texts. Students will learn a new set of terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
We also offer English Literature which focuses on challenging and inspiring students via texts such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Mc Beth, Robert L. Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Poetry and the modern play The Blood Brothers. Students explore the different characters and how they are portrayed as well as learning how to interpret texts and discuss their social context.