English


English Department

English and Literacy are fundamental to the success of all our students. Standards have risen dramatically in recent years, as we have assembled a team of vibrant and talented specialists. GCSE results have risen steadily from 49% A*-C, to this year’s record, 63%.

A broad and challenging curriculum has been established, with a range of texts and tasks aimed at engaging our students and developing their skills in the crucial areas of assessment required by the National Curriculum, and vital to their future success: Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, and “Functional Skills.”

KS4

In KS4, our students study for English Language and English Literature, following the AQA syllabus. Approximately half of our Y10 students have begun the brand new syllabus, which replaces coursework with a series of Controlled Assessment tasks.

These are effectively “internal exams” and it is extremely important that students do not miss these sessions, as they are strictly time-bound. These students will sit their final examination in May 2012.

The remainder of Y10 students are following the outgoing “legacy” specification, which requires the completion of four pieces of coursework and examinations to take place in May or November 2011.

KS3

Carefully chosen literary works have made a huge impact at KS3. Recent novels such as Private Peaceful, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and the perennial favourite, A Kestrel for a Knave, have been very well received and have led to some most impressive work.

The English Department are all passionate about the place of Shakespeare in the curriculum. We have even adapted and performed a number of his plays for our students, attracting high praise from Advisers, Consultants, and even Teachers’ TV, as well as from our enthusiastic and appreciative audiences.
Several English teachers have developed key projects in recent years:

  • Miss Clark has appointed 43 Y10 “Literacy Leaders”, who have been trained to deliver 1 to 1 coaching to younger students.

  • Primary Liaison has been extended as part of Miss Coates’ work on Literacy Plus, which has attracted Regional recognition.

  • Mrs Gray has developed a system of assessment which allows all teachers and students to know exactly which skills they need to improve in order to progress.

  • Mrs Cadwallander has introduced and developed the concept of Functional Skills, which has ensured that these crucial aspects of communication are embedded in teaching and learning from Y7 to Y11.

  • Mr Hindhaugh has introduced Media Studies as a GCSE option, with great success.

Our English department offers a range of extra-curricular opportunities:

  • Curriculum related Theatre trips to Newcastle, Darlington & London, have been extremely popular and successful.

  • Revision weekends in Whitby have made a significant impact on GCSE success.

  • The Dead Poets’ Society offers Gifted and Talented students the chance to explore more sophisticated elements of our Literary Heritage, as preparation for Further or Higher Education.

  • We have an excellent record of participation and success in the National Youth Speaks competition.

We are all committed to continued excellence and to promoting a love of reading in our students. We believe passionately, that reading for pleasure and enrichment, is the key to a deeper understanding of the world in which we live, and to developing the skills demanded of young people in the 21st Century.

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