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English

English aims to be inspiring, varied, and challenging whilst following the demands of The National Curriculum.

KS3
In Year 8 we follow modules, with a key focus of improving literacy skills. These modules are:

Personal Writing/Autobiography
Narrative Prose/Novel
Poetry
Narrative writing
Writing to argue, persuade and advise/Speaking and Listening
Plays and Scripts
Media

In Year 9, there is a focus on the End of Key Stage Tests, formerly known as SATs. Students will study different forms of writing and improve their own writing for different purposes and audiences. A Shakespeare play is studied and students are prepared for an examination. The Key Stage Tests cover writing and reading skills. We endeavour not to focus entirely on exams and to retain enjoyment of the subject through the study of a wide range of stimulating texts.

Mr T Sutton

KS4
We follow the AQA A syllabus. Almost all students will take two GCSEs in English and English Literature. Study is through a mixture of written and spoken coursework and examinations at the end of Year 11. Coursework topics are on:
• Original Writing
• Media
• Modern Drama
• Shakespeare
• Pre-1914 Novel
We also offer a GCSE in Media Studies, which involves the practical production of a magazine and/or a short film.

Useful Guides

Year 10 Guide to Coursework in English and English Literature - Click here

Year 11 English Revision Guide - Click here

POETRY

Hillsborough 1989

On a day of great tragedy,
When 96 reds all fell.
The pitch stained with tears and blood,
The forest fans watched in horror,
As the mighty reds were crushed and killed.
Grief hit the stadium like a plane hits the runway.
The 96 all remembered and held in high esteem,
For they were the ones
WHO NEVER WALKED ALONE.

Ayden Buckland – 8TB

English Department Competitions

Holes Competition

The competition to write a review of the school production of Louis Sachar’s Holes has been won by Emma Humby of 8DAL. The competition deadline was extended to allow for a greater range of entries. Congratulations to Emma who wins a voucher for £10. Congratulations also to the following students who were highly commended and win a small prize each:
James Dean
Chelsea Stephens
Sophie Landsborough
Aiden Falshaw-Skelly

Here is Emma’s winning review:

Holes Review

For three nights in December I was in the school production of Holes. The play is about Stanley Yelnats the fourth and his no good dirty rotten pig-stealing grandfather. Stanley and Yelnats are the same name spelt backwards.
One day as Stanley is walking along the road, he is hit on the head by a pair of trainers. They belong to the famous basketball player, Clyde “sweetfeet” Livingstone. Stanley, who has bad luck all the time, is caught by the police and is sent to court accused of stealing them. He is given the choice of going to jail or to Camp Green Lake. He chooses Camp Green Lake, thinking it will be a walk in the park. He didn’t know that there was no lake and he would have to dig holes all day in the hot sun. He’s told that digging holes builds character, but after he finds something, Stanley, played by Rob Voysey, has a great time finding out why they are really digging holes - along with his new friends including X-Ray played by Michael Cubitt.
As well as the great actors, there were singers and dancers and everything went really well. Ms McGraw directed the play and Ms O’Neil the dancing, and Emma Clarke in Year 11 organised things. There were also teachers performing - Mr Sutton played Mr Sir and Miss Bradley played Elya Yelnats. They all did really well.

By Emma Humby

Look out for the English Department’s next writing competition, to write a review of your favourite book.