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English
Aims
& Philosophy
The English curriculum offers a lively and challenging course of study that
encourages pupils to express themselves creatively; develop independent
ideas; become active, critical and discerning readers and write accurately,
persuasively and with confidence.
The formal assessment of English throughout the senior school is divided
into the interdependent components of Speaking & Listening, Reading and
Writing.
KS3
Speaking & Listening
is practiced in a variety of ways such as debating, small group negotiation,
through drama activities, whole class discussions and by more formal
individual presentations.
Each year group follows a guided
Reading programme of a wide selection of texts including
poetry, classics, contemporary novels, short stories, plays, media-texts and
non-fiction articles. Independent reading is at the heart of progress in
English and all KS3 classes have a weekly library lesson to encourage and
support wider reading. Writing
often arises from what the pupils have been reading or from
autobiographical experience. The English course develops the ability to
manipulate and select language according to the form, audience and purpose
of a task and all year groups have the opportunity to practice a variety of
writing styles.
Classes are mixed ability throughout with normal class sizes of 15 or less.
National Curriculum levels are used as a means of assessment and target
setting for each pupil. A specialist E2AL teacher is available to support
foreign language pupils.
KS4
All students are expected to take both English Language and Literature GCSE
examinations and currently follow the AQA A syllabus. The programme of study
includes written coursework, speaking and listening assessment and written
examinations and encourages pupils to build on the skills acquired at KS3.
A Level
The small group size in the A Level English Literature classes enables
excellent pupil support. Studying the subject at this level encourages a
lifelong interest in and enjoyment of reading. The course introduces
students to a wide range of challenging texts and provides a framework to
read critically and independently through experience of an extensive range
of views about texts and how to read them. Pupils extend their vocabulary
and knowledge of literary terminology, learn to apply conceptual ideas and
develop confidence to express their ideas cogently and in appropriate
detail. The AQA syllabus is followed and assessment is though both written
and coursework and examination.
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