English

At KS3 the English Department follows the national curriculum with an emphasis on reading whole books. We have a wide selection of books for classes to read by international authors such as Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo and Michelle Magoian. There is also a distinct multi-cultural bias to our books. We encourage girls to read as much as possible at home and our excellent library provides a wide choice of books. As well as novels we read short stories, poems and plays including a Shakespeare in Year 9.

Girls are encouraged to write for a wide range of audiences and purposes and each girl has a best work folder in which to keep her finished pieces of work throughout KS3. We place considerable emphasis upon the accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as increasing girls’ vocabulary and showing them how to use a variety of sentence structures. Speaking and listening play an important part in our work; each girl takes part in a school public speaking competition each year. The winning team from each year represents the school in the local Rotary Club Public Speaking Competition.

As KS4 we follow the AQA Specifications for English and English Literature GCE. This involves reading a wide range of modern and pre-1900 literature for coursework and examination. The language examinations test candidates’ ability to structure and develop their ideas in writing. Girls are also examined on their ability to speak and listen effectively.

A large number of girls take English at A-level. We offer two courses: the traditional English Literature courses for which candidates study eight texts taken from a range of periods and genres and the newer English Language and Literature course, which involves candidates studying non-fiction texts as well as literature. On this course candidates have the opportunity to write their own short stories and non-fiction pieces.

We take girls to the theatre as much as possible as well as encouraging them to take part in any extra-curricular activities which are available. We have visits by theatre companies. GCSE candidates have recently attended a poetry workshop arranged by the examination board and A-level candidates have the opportunity to attend a poetry writing workshop run by a published poet. A-level candidates who intend to read English at university are put forward for courses at Villiers Park, an educational charity which runs courses designed to give prospective students a taste of university study, and girls from across the school attend courses run for gifted and talented pupils. Debating is also important in the school and sixth form teams regularly represent the school in the English Speaking Union Schools Mace debating competition.

Department Links
Weblinks Database: English