English
Curriculum Overview
Intent: why do we teach what we teach?
The English department aim for all students to have a rich, enjoyable and diverse experience of language and literature. We will inspire students to:
• respond critically and confidently to texts of any genre and from any era
• communicate articulately and appropriately in any context
• be creative and passionate in their approach to English, whilst gaining a life-long love of literature and language.
Implementation: how do we teach what we teach?
As a group of passionate subject specialists, we believe in placing full literature texts at the heart of our curriculum. Rather than undertaking extract work and completing workbooks, it is our belief that students will improve their English skills through reading and in-depth study. As such, our curriculum dictates that, by the end of KS3, students will have studied at least 9 books from cover to cover. Through these texts, students will hone their skills across both Language and Literature as they receive a solid foundation for meeting the demands of GCSE and A level study.
The English department also aims to endow all students with the ‘necessary competencies that daily life requires’ through our focus on core literacy skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening which run through all of our schemes of work and underpin every learning experience. We provide a rich extra-curricular offer; we have taken children to the National Theatre and The Globe this year, as well as taking part in the Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out Challenge,’ the National Literacy Trust’s ‘Words for Work’ scheme and participating in numerous author visits in conjunction with the library.
Impact: how do we know what pupils have learnt and how well they have learnt it?
Schemes of work are structured with clear assessment points built in at key junctures
Learning follows the Elmgreen Teacher cycle which ensures, through the principles of Rosenshine, that students are guided through their learning in a systematic way
Regular retrieval in lessons and through homework is employed to ensure learning is committed to long-term memory
AFL strategies employed
The English department have coordinated a thorough external assessment process at KS3 (no more marking) to ensure we have data on where students are at the moment nationally and what needs to be done to foster progress
Our policy of undertaking extended writing within the classroom ensures that work produced is conducted in a controlled environment. As such, the mark we work is a true reflection of a student's knowledge and ability.
