Staff
Miss Evans – Head of Department
Ms Sharpe – Associate Headteacher
Miss Rogers – Second in English/KS3 Co-ordinator
Miss Bishop – Literacy Co-ordinator
Mrs Tolton – Teacher of English
Ms Deen – Teacher of English
Miss Cochrane – Teacher of English
Ms Newman – Literacy Support
Mrs Purcell – Assistant Headteacher
Key Stage Three
The English department aims to instil a love of all literature, old and new, and an appreciation for 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 national pride in the ‘Proud to be Welsh’ scheme to the horrors of nineteenth century in the ‘Gothic Horror’ programme.
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 practise 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 A Level English Literature respectively with the support of experienced departmental staff. The study of Language includes opportunities to explore the effects and changes of written and spoken language whilst also giving opportunities for creative writing. The study of Literature includes the study of poets such as Keats and Donne whilst also examining prose texts, such as Jane Eyre, and a choice of Shakespeare plays.
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