English

Intent
English is core to our students’ education. We wish our students to be effective communicators in all areas of their lives. We seek to empower them to deal with the many and diverse uses of language in modern society; to be sensitive to the power and nuance of the written and spoken word; to be equipped to confidently deploy language with skill and expertise according to the demands of the context. To this end, active and independent learning is encouraged in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Furthermore, we believe that by responding imaginatively and critically to the plays, poetry, novels and short stories of great, diverse writers from across time, as well as various media, students will better appreciate their own skilful use of language; they will be enriched by their social, moral and spiritual dimensions; and they will develop an awareness of the richness of their cultural heritage.

Intent

English is core to our students’ education. We wish our students to be effective communicators in all areas of their lives. We seek to empower them to deal with the many and diverse uses of language in modern society; to be sensitive to the power and nuance of the written and spoken word; to be equipped to confidently deploy language with skill and expertise according to the demands of the context. To this end, active and independent learning is encouraged in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Furthermore, we believe that by responding imaginatively and critically to the plays, poetry, novels and short stories of great, diverse writers from across time, as well as various media, students will better appreciate their own skilful use of language; they will be enriched by their social, moral and spiritual dimensions; and they will develop an awareness of the richness of their cultural heritage.

Further Information

The Team/Facilities
The English Team’s main bases are in twelve classrooms on the upper level of the school. One classroom is a computer suite, all have projector facilities and most have interactive whiteboards. The English team currently has the leadership roles of the Director of Literacy, Team Leader, KS3, KS4, KS5 and film/media Lead Teachers.  Close links are maintained with the Library and Sixth Form Resource Centre. At Key Stage 4 and 5 we also offer courses in  Media and Film Studies.

The Team/Facilities

The English Team’s main bases are in twelve classrooms on the upper level of the school. One classroom is a computer suite, all have projector facilities and most have interactive whiteboards. The English team currently has the leadership roles of the Director of Literacy, Team Leader, KS3, KS4, KS5 and film/media Lead Teachers.  Close links are maintained with the Library and Sixth Form Resource Centre.

At Key Stage 4 and 5 we also offer courses in  Media and Film Studies.

Key Stage 3
Students coming to us in year 7 work on a creative reading transition project, building on the skills they have developed in Year 6. They are taught in mixed ability groups with an average class size of 25. The syllabus covers the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Throughout Key Stage 3, students are introduced to Shakespeare, a range of novels, dramatic texts and poetry. In both years 7 and 8 students are also given the opportunity to experience taster units in media and film studies, option subjects available in Year 9. A love of reading is encouraged as much as possible since it has a beneficial impact on a child’s English skills and wide-ranging effects throughout the curriculum. In Year 8 students are set in ability groups; the lessons build on and develop skills acquired in year 7 and continue the emphasis on reading.  While we focus on fostering an enjoyment of reading and writing, we also understand the need for students to be prepared for their GCSE examinations.  Throughout Key Stage 3, students complete end of unit assessments in reading, writing and spoken language, designed to introduce and build the skills required to meet the assessment objectives of GCSE English.  For more information contact Mr Erbach.

Key Stage 3

Students coming to us in year 7 work on a creative reading transition project, building on the skills they have developed in Year 6. They are taught in mixed ability groups with an average class size of 25. The syllabus covers the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Throughout Key Stage 3, students are introduced to Shakespeare, a range of novels, dramatic texts and poetry. In both years 7 and 8 students are also given the opportunity to experience taster units in media and film studies, option subjects available in Year 9. A love of reading is encouraged as much as possible since it has a beneficial impact on a child’s English skills and wide-ranging effects throughout the curriculum.

In Year 8 students are set in ability groups; the lessons build on and develop skills acquired in year 7 and continue the emphasis on reading.  While we focus on fostering an enjoyment of reading and writing, we also understand the need for students to be prepared for their GCSE examinations.  Throughout Key Stage 3, students complete end of unit assessments in reading, writing and spoken language, designed to introduce and build the skills required to meet the assessment objectives of GCSE English. 

For more information contact Mr Erbach. 

Key Stage 4
Year 9 is considered a bridging year when the skills necessary for GCSE are embedded. Year 10 students are prepared for the Eduqas English Literature and Eduqas English Language examinations. Year 11 students are being prepared for the AQA English Literature and Eduqas English Language examinations. During Year 9, there is an emphasis on challenge, depth and breadth. Students study a Shakespeare text, a novel, a play, a range of poetry and discursive topics.  They are regularly assessed with GCSE style tasks.  All students will study GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.  Both courses are linear and assessed by examination only at the end of Year 11. Throughout Years 10 and 11 students will study a range of fiction and literary non-fiction; the skills of creative and discursive writing; one Shakespeare text; a combination of novels and drama texts; and a range of poetry.  Students will also complete a Spoken Language assessment; this will not contribute to their GCSE grade but will be reported as a separate endorsement on the GCSE English Language certificate.  For more information about GCSE English Language please visit GCSE English Language \| Eduqas For more information about GCSE English literature please visit www.aqa.org.uk. For more information contact Miss A Richards

Key Stage 4

Year 9 is considered a bridging year when the skills necessary for GCSE are embedded. Year 10 students are prepared for the Eduqas English Literature and Eduqas English Language examinations. Year 11 students are being prepared for the AQA English Literature and Eduqas English Language examinations. During Year 9, there is an emphasis on challenge, depth and breadth. Students study a Shakespeare text, a novel, a play, a range of poetry and discursive topics.  They are regularly assessed with GCSE style tasks.  All students will study GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.  Both courses are linear and assessed by examination only at the end of Year 11. Throughout Years 10 and 11 students will study a range of fiction and literary non-fiction; the skills of creative and discursive writing; one Shakespeare text; a combination of novels and drama texts; and a range of poetry.  Students will also complete a Spoken Language assessment; this will not contribute to their GCSE grade but will be reported as a separate endorsement on the GCSE English Language certificate. 

For more information about GCSE English Language please visit GCSE English Language | Eduqas

For more information about GCSE English literature please visit www.aqa.org.uk.

For more information contact Miss A Richards

Sixth Form
Two courses are on offer at A Level: AQA English Literature, AQA English Language and Literature. We try to create the ambience of a university tutorial by encouraging students to engage in discussion as much as possible and to become independent learners. Students are usually taught by two different teachers for various parts of their course, which allows them to experience the high level of quality that exists in the team.  For more information about A Level English courses, please visit www.aqa.org.uk.  For more information about A Level Film Studies, please visit www.eduqas.co.uk  For more information contact Mr. Seddon

Sixth Form

Two courses are on offer at A Level: AQA English Literature, AQA English Language and Literature. We try to create the ambience of a university tutorial by encouraging students to engage in discussion as much as possible and to become independent learners. Students are usually taught by two different teachers for various parts of their course, which allows them to experience the high level of quality that exists in the team. 

For more information about A Level English courses, please visit www.aqa.org.uk. 

For more information about A Level Film Studies, please visit www.eduqas.co.uk 

For more information contact Mr. Seddon

English curriculum journey

Shenley Brook End School

English

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