English

The English Department contains five full-time specialists assisted by seven colleagues from other departments. There are seven teaching groups in each of Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, each of which has six lessons per week and one or, in the case of Year 5, two preps.

Drama is timetabled separately. Learning Support is offered outside the classroom to those who need it, usually individually or in pairs. Each class has a weekly library lesson in which individual children's reading is monitored. Extensive use is made of interactive whiteboard and ICT facilities (in addition, Year 7 has a weekly timetabled ICT session).

The groups are broadly banded by ability but it should be recognised that the balance of any one child's strengths and weaknesses in this subject may elude precise categorisation.

English in Year 4 is taught in form groups with the curriculum based in part on the National Literacy Strategy. Time is spent consolidating skills in the basics of reading, spelling, grammar and handwriting in a well resourced and lively environment. Work is also linked to topics studied in history, geography, RS and ICT.

Lower ability groups in Years 5 and 6 follow a syllabus more closely geared to (but not dictated by) the National Literacy Strategy than the rest. All the first group in Year 8, and about half the second, customarily take Scholarship examinations to senior schools. A challenging enrichment programme is offered in the Summer Term to those who have taken scholarship examinations.

English is taught as far as possible through literature, and the syllabus for all groups follows a chronological spine shadowing the History Department; thus, Year 5 studies the Anglo-Saxon period with special attention to "Beowulf", Year 6 the medieval period with special attention to Chaucer, Year 7 the Renaissance theatre with special attention to Shakespeare. Thereafter the work diverges according to the differing requirements of Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations.

The Department aims to excite and enthuse children about their language and literature as they have developed historically and as they continue to develop today. Much emphasis is placed on discussion and the formation of individual opinions. Every opportunity is taken to exploit connections between English and cognate disciplines such as history, languages and philosophy. A balance is sought between linguistic and literary, oral and written, creative and mechanical, skills. Assessment is evaluative and clear targets are set for individual work.

For more information contact:
Rachael Livingston
Head of English