Faculty of English

English is a vital way of communicating in school, in the wider community, in public life and internationally.  In teaching English, our aim is for all pupils to develop their abilities, to the highest possible standards, in speaking, listening, reading and writing to empower them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively.

Skills:

Speaking:
Pupils are taught to speak fluently and appropriately in different contexts, adapting their talk for a range of purposes and audiences, including more formal situations when they should use Standard English.

Listening:
Pupils are taught to listen, understand and respond critically and sensitively to others, and to participate effectively as members of different groups.

Reading:
Pupils are encouraged to develop understanding and appreciation of texts, reading a wide range both for study and for pleasure.  They should become independent, enthusiastic, discriminating and responsive readers, understanding layers of meaning and appreciating what they read on a critical level. 

Writing:

Pupils are taught to draw on their reading experience and knowledge of language and literary forms when composing their writing.  They are taught to write using accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as using different formats, layouts and ways of presenting their work.  They should develop confidence in writing for a range of different purposes and audiences, developing their own distinctive styles and writing with commitment and vitality. 

RANGE: THE PROGRAMMES OF STUDY.

During the course of the academic year, pupils will follow a programme of six Units of Work to cover a range of different texts to include:

• Literary texts: the novel, poetry and plays including Shakespeare from Year 8.
• Literary non-fiction: autobiography, biography, journals, letters, travel writing.
• Non-fiction: magazine articles, editorials, speeches, leaflets, brochures.
• Media: newspaper reports, T.V., film, advertising.