English

Head of English & Drama: Mrs Sarah Scannell

English is approached primarily through the reading of novels, stories, poems and plays. Students are encouraged to think, write, and talk lucidly and critically about what they have read. As well as providing stimulus for the imagination and for discussion of social, ethical and personal questions, we hope that the study of literature will increase the awareness of the potential of language as a medium of expression. This is developed through detailed examination of how language is used to precise effect in particular contexts and it is hoped that a growing critical awareness will filter into students' creative use of language.

The study of language spreads beyond its specifically literary uses: journalism, diaries, letters, biography and travel writing, for example, provide a wide range of writing for study.

There will be etymology in the English Language course: some Latin and Greek roots and some history of the language will be studied. There will be a section of the year when all students will study grammar, phonetics, semantic change and modern usage.

All students take GCSE English Language and Literature. Much of the work is built around the detailed study of whole literary texts. Assessment is bases around controlled assessments, speaking and listening assessments and three final papers.