Who are we?
Ms L Northey (Head of English)
Ms R Gurnham
Mr J Dolman
Mr M Murray
Ms L Johnson
Ms E Smith
Ms K Ayling
Ms F Brennan
What we do in KS3
Texts studied at KS3 include:
Novels – ‘Holes’, ‘Stormbreaker’, ‘Ruby in the Smoke’
Poetry – Beowulf, Poems from Other Cultures, ‘Lady of Shalott’, William Blake
Plays – ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Media texts – film, animation, websites
Non-fiction – travel writing, biography
In Year 7 and 8 pupils develop their creative and dramatic abilities in Expressive Arts lessons. They learn how to use and write scripts, they engage in role play, mime and puppetry alongside other dramatic techniques. Expressive arts builds communication skills, creativity, confidence and the ability to work in a group.
What we do in KS4
In Year 10 students work towards completing the majority of their coursework – they write pieces on ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dicken’s, Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ or ‘Macbeth’ and also on a modern play (the play will vary depending on teacher preference). Students will also complete a piece of coursework analysing a film, ‘The Shining’. To prepare for their exams in Year 11 they will examine and analyse a number of different written media texts, developing their understanding of the way that images, layout and language have an effect on the reader.
In Year 11 students complete their final piece of coursework – an original writing piece. In preparation for the GCSE English Literature examination, students study the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ and a selection of pre 1914 poetry, alongside poems by Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy. In preparation for the GCSE English examinations students study a selection of poetry from other cultures, examine written media and non-fiction texts (newspapers, adverts, magazine articles etc) as well as developing their ability to write in a number of different styles and forms. Students will also undertake speaking and listening assessments in Year 11.
What we do in KS5
The course will provide you with a wide and varied experience of Literature – lessons will encourage discussion and debate, they will provide you with opportunities to develop your skills through group work and independent study.
Lessons will be a combination of teacher led discussion, group work, presentations and seminars. You will also be given opportunities to attend lectures, theatre performances, talks etc.
Within lessons students will also look at a wide variety of examples of Victorian Literature - poems, excerpts from non-fiction, extracts from novels from the period.
Students will also be encouraged to develop their knowledge of the Literature of the Victorian period through their own independent reading – suggested reading lists will be provided and students will also be able to borrow books from the department.
A level – English Literature
The AS course is made up of two units:
- UNIT 1: Texts in Context (examination)
Students will study one set poetry text and will also undertake wider reading of Victorian Literature. - UNIT 2: Creative Study (coursework).
Students select one prose text and one drama text from Victorian Literature. The first piece will be a personal informed response to the chosen prose text, either a creative interpretation or creative transformational writing. The second piece will be a comparative piece of writing on the chosen drama text, focusing on the text in context and aspects such as theme, structure and characterisation.
The A2 units are:
- UNIT 3: Reading for Meaning (examination)
Students will read at least the equivalent of three texts on the theme of 'Love through the Ages', including:
- reading in the literature of love including the three genres of prose, poetry and drama
- literature written by both men and women
- literature through time (from Chaucer to the present day).
- some non-fiction texts. - UNIT 4: Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study (coursework)
This essay will compare three texts with a shared theme, none of which will have been studied at AS and one of which will be a Shakespeare play.
How do we do it?
- In lessons students work in groups to discuss their ideas, developing their questioning and reasoning skills.
- Students in are encouraged to study independently and make presentations to the rest of their class.
- Students also get many opportunities to go on theatre visits – students from years 7,8 and 10 went to see an open air performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in Covent Garden.
- Each year we take part in the Poetry Society’s ‘Slambassador’s’ poetry competition. Students work with a professional poet to produce their own slam poetry.
How is my work assessed?
Students study towards two GCSEs – GCSE English and GCSE English Literature......
GCSE English : This is assessed by 60% examination, 20% written coursework and 20% speaking and listening coursework.
GCSE English Literature : This is assessed by 70% examination and 30% written coursework.
What skills will I develop?
Courses will introduce new concepts and develop a more detailed understanding of a variety of texts from a wide variety of genres and periods.
You will study drama, prose and poetry and make connections and comparisons between these different genres.
Our courses allow students to engage with a lot of independent reading, discussion of texts and analytical writing.
Where can it lead?
Students with AS or A Level English Literature have a wide range of possible higher education or career opportunities – you will learn and use a wide variety of transferable skills during the course.
English Literature can be studied as a single subject in higher education or combined with a wide variety of other subjects – it could form a good basis for study in combination with history, media studies, philosophy, law, politics or languages.
How can I find out more?
Speak to any member of the English Department who will be happy to offer advice. For examination details then click web.aqa.org.uk/Literature for GCSE Literature, web.aqa.org.uk/Language For English Language and web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/english for A-level.
