Staff
Miss Evans – Head of Department
Miss Rogers – Second in English/KS3 Co-ordinator
Miss Bishop – Literacy Co-ordinator
Mrs Tolton – Teacher of English
Miss Cochrane – Teacher of English
Ms Groombridge – Literacy Support
Mrs Purcell – Assistant Headteacher
Mr Babatola – Teacher of English
Key Stage Three
The English department aims to instil a love of all literature and an appreciation for the power of language in all learners as they progress through Key Stage 3. To develop their skills across the three strands of Oracy, Reading and Writing, all students are provided with detailed and tailored programmes of study with bespoke resources produced by the English department, including themes about identity, Welsh citizenship., heroes and villains, and the media. Year 7 students will begin the Accelerated Reader programme and selected student will participate in Lexonik sessions in literacy intervention.
Key Stage Four
Students complete a two year study for two separate GCSE qualifications: English Literature and English Language. They will develop their literary knowledge of popular prose texts, including ‘Of Mice and Men’ whilst also studying dramas such as ‘An Inspector Calls’ and selected Shakespeare plays. As students develop their knowledge of literary texts, Welsh heritage poetry and sociohistorical context, they will also develop their language skills for the new GCSE English Language in Wales and the new KS4 Programme of Study through bespoke schemes of integrated study. Over the course, all students will complete Oracy practice in readiness for their individual presentation and their group discussion which form part of their overall GCSE grade.
Key Stage Five
Students are offered the opportunity of studying A Level English Language and Literature, and A Level English Literature respectively with the support of experienced departmental staff. The study of the Language and Literature course includes opportunities to explore a range of both literary and non-literary texts, including the construction of students’ own original writing. The study of Literature includes the study of poets such as Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, and playwrights such as Shakespeare and Marlowe.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
- Carnegie Medal scheme and activities.
- Visits to The Big Pit as part of the “Proud to be Welsh” scheme to prepare for persuasive writing tasks.
- Visits to Stratford-upon-Avon to complement the study of Shakespeare.
- Theatre trips.
“Our English lessons are fun” – Ellie May Henry
“The skills we practise have really helped me in my other subjects” – Jessica Woods