English
The intent of the English Department is to provide a knowledge rich curriculum that improves the life chances of every child. The breadth of the curriculum ranges across different text types and times – from ancient myths and legends through to Shakespeare, into haunted gothic mansions and the trenches of the First World War, to the desolate wastelands of the American Depression and off into future dystopias.
Curriculum
At Key Stage 3 we want students to really get to grips with English as a conceptual area of study. By this, we mean that they will read the ancient stories that shaped out culture; they will read Shakespeare and gothic texts as well as modern plays, poetry and novels; and they will use these texts to discuss huge ideas, concepts and feelings. We will use these and other exciting non-fiction texts from across the ages as springboards for their own writing both creative and transactional.
We are proud of the curriculum we have in place and the opportunities it affords pupils to really explore literature, language and the imaginative transformation of life.
We feel these units of learning give students all they need to hone their skills and get ready for the demands of the GCSE and A Level courses.
At GCSE we use AQA English Language and Literature. Our GCSE units help students understand and gain knowledge of literature in a number of ways: as enjoyable and interesting stories; as conscious constructs of an actual author sitting down with a pen; and as products of the times in which they were published and read.
Our study of language at this level is all about the ‘why’ – ‘why this word, then?’ is the fundamental question we try and answer – it’s not as easy as it looks – effective answers to that question can take you through A Level and beyond!
At A Level students can choose between three exciting options: AQA Literature, AQA Language and WJEC Media Studies – or, indeed, all three! Our A Level units are a celebration of the many areas of interest and transformation within the texts, ideas and facets of this fantastic subject. We love to teach them Shakespeare’s huge tragedy of Othello; Arthur Miller’s seminal Death of a Salesman, Keats’ longer poem, William Blake’s apocalyptic songs; the dystopian classic The Handmaid’s Tale and thrilling The Kite Runner. These texts are read through a number of different critical lenses which students then have the chance to explore in more depth through their coursework and own re-creative pieces.
We believe that our students can, and will, develop a love of reading!
We believe that they will be better able to express and articulate themselves.
We believe that the imaginative transformation of life is the means by which they can best understand it.
Approaches to Learning and Assessment
Our approach to teaching and learning changes as the years progress.
At Key Stage 3, students have a variety of different forms of assessment. From formal classroom assessments to opportunities for speaking and listening and exhibition. We are lucky to have the Keswick Room on the ground floor of the block – this is a large space in which, three times a year, complete exhibitions of students work are exhibited for parents to come and see.
At GCSE, there are rigorous protocols embedded into the units of learning that ensure the necessary knowledge of skills for external examination are there. Students’ books are regularly marked and they are given the skills and knowledge to effectively peer and self-assess their own work to an accurate standard.
The same is true of A Level assessment and teaching.
Supporting Individual Students
We have SEND champions within the department and bespoke interventions lessons in the library. There is also time given within each lesson to ensure that any student with additional needs can be spoken to and helped.
At GCSE we timetable intervention lessons for those students not taking triple science. These lessons are planned to work alongside the content of their other classes and delivered by specialist teachers.
In Year 11, we deliver further, targeted intervention in a number of ways: towards specific questions in the examinations and towards specific literary texts. This is offered to students of all abilities.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
We run a wealth of trips at all Key Stages. From ‘Othello’ at the National Theatre, ‘Death of a Salesman’ in Birmingham, to ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the RSC, we try to make sure all our students experience live theatre. We attend lectures at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford and also invite in lecturers and academics to give talks, debates and run symposiums.
We also work in partnership with the University of Gloucester Media Studies Department and have access to their facilities each term. Our creative writing, debating and cinema societies are all flourishing and we have developed links with Hatchards Bookshop in Cheltenham who are hosts to our annual writing competition. They also help with visiting authors and other bespoke events.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map
(click the links below for more information)
Year | Text |
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7 | Myths and Legends |
8 | Henry V |
9 | Woman in Black |
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map
(click the links below for more information)
Year 10 and 11 | Year 11 | |
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What are we learning? | Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing | Macbeth |