LanguagesEnglish
English

The English Department is staffed by two full-time specialists. The Department aims to develop students' skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening and to promote a love of literature. Students are encouraged to explore language through studying a wide variety of texts and to acquire the skills needed to present their opinions effectively both in discussion and in writing. The department recognises that some students may excel in certain areas of the subject, for example speaking, whilst finding other areas, perhaps written work, more of a challenge. This is one reason why students are taught in mixed-ability groups in all years.

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Staff

  • Miss Kathryn Makepeace - Head of Department
    • BA (Hons) English Lang. & Lit.
    PGCE

  • Miss Marie O'Shaughnessy - Teacher of English & Drama
    • BA (Hons) Literature
    PGCE (Cantab)

    		English Staff
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    Syllabus Years 7 to 9

    English Students are taught in mixed ability groups with an average class size of 15. In all three years students study prose, poetry and drama from different periods and cultures and develop their writing and analytical skills. Shakespeare is introduced in Year 7 with students studying a selection of scenes, whist in year 9 a complete play is studied. Other writers students encounter are Dickens, Tennyson, Dahl, Morpurgo, Naidoo and Owen. Students in Years 7 and 8 have regular library lessons.

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    Syllabus Years 10 and 11 - GCSE

    All students prepare to take two GCSEs : English and English Literature (OCR). In exceptional circumstances a student might not be entered for Literature.

    At present coursework is still a major element in both courses;
    English - 40% (20% Written / 20% Speaking and Listening)
    Literature - 30%

    Students are taught in mixed-ability groups; average size 17.

    Recent public examination results have been very pleasing. In 2007 96% of students gained grades A - C in English and 98% of students gained grades A - C in Literature. The Literature results have been particularly good with 47% of students gaining grades A or A* in 2007.

    		English

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    Syllabus AS / A2

    English Students take WJEC English Literature. A wide variety of texts and writers are studied including Charlotte Bronte, Seamus Heaney, Brian Friel (AS) and Shakespeare, Marlowe, Blake (A2).
    The new AS/A2 course introduces a compulsory coursework element which provides 40% of the final mark.
    It is also essential that students study independently. Some opportunity for creative writing is available.
    Class sizes are on average, AS- 14, A2- 8.

    Recent examination results have been very pleasing with 100% pass rate and in 2007 60% of students gained grade A at A2.

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    Extra Opportunities

    Every effort is made to take all students to see live theatre each year. These trips are often arranged in conjunction with the Drama Department.
    In recent years students have seen productions of: Kensuke's Kingdom, Nicholas Nickleby, Macbeth, King Lear, The Merchant of venice, Paradise Lost, A Month in the Country.
    Students have also visited Shakespeare's bithplace in Stratford Upon Avon and have attended poetry readings.

    The English Department co-ordinates the College's Inter-House Public Speaking Competition. Students are also prepared for the Rotary Club, "Youth Speaks" competition.

    In addition staff from the department run a Scrabble Club and extra "clinics" for GCSE and AS/A2 students.
    Sixth Form "King Lear" 07 Shakespeare's Birthplace

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    Useful Web Links

    Click on the links below visit some worthwhile web resources.

    www.bbc.co.uk/revision Useful for KS3 and GCSE revision.

    www.poetryarchive.org A lovely collection of poems.

    www.english.moonfruit.com . Useful for essay research, and KS3 and GCSE revision

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