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Introduction

In the English Department, we have designed a curriculum provision which will engage, expose and empower our students. We aim to engage our students with an inspirational, rigorous and personalised syllabus which develops their written and spoken literacy, whilst also instilling in them a genuine love of literature. We expose our students to an array of challenging and engaging literature, representative of the students we teach. We seek to empower all students by encouraging and nurturing creativity, confidence and identity through both the study of English Language and English Literature. Time is taken to secure a broad curriculum reflecting the experiences of people from different countries and times.

The Department secures consistently outstanding results at GCSE; the improvement in attainment over recent years has been dramatic. We seek to maximise all students’ potential exceeding that which is expected of them.

KS3

At KS3 students develop a range of skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening. This is achieved through engaging with challenging texts, tasks and ideas. Students are taught in sets to ensure that students’ learning is as challenging and personalised as possible. Students are regularly assessed and monitored so that we can celebrate exceptional achievement and ensure that we support them in their areas of difficulty. Lessons are planned to be engaging and challenging, encouraging students to become increasingly confident and reflective learners. A focus on improving skills across the key stage ensures clear progression between units and prepares pupils for the necessary skills required at GCSE.

All KS3 classes have a reading lesson once a week where pupils have the opportunity to read and discuss a set text with their class. These lessons encourage pupils to develop their voices as active readers, their inference skills and their ability to respond critically to a text.  These skills are essential at both KS3 and KS4.

KS4

In KS4 all students study two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature. These qualifications have been designed to be fully co-teachable and have a strong focus on a skills-based approach.  Our students’ progress greatly exceeds national expectations from KS2 to GCSE. Students are supported throughout the course by their teachers and are monitored by post-holders in the Department. Revision and intervention classes are run at certain points throughout the year to support students in their learning and their preparation for the examinations in these important qualifications. The Department have recently created a collection of engaging and concise YouTube videos to allow students to revise at a time that suits them.

Parent Information Sheets:

A Christmas Carol

An Inspector Calls

Jekyll and Hyde

GCSE: English Language

Students in Year 11 will undertake the AQA GCSE qualification in English Language. The course is designed to develop the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively in both speech and writing. Students learn how to employ a wide-ranging vocabulary, use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation and develop a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.
Learners are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of the ways in which language can be used. The study of English Language also develops more general analysis and communication skills such as synthesis, inference, and the ability to order facts and present opinions effectively.

This GCSE in English Language enables students to:

  • read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding
  • read critically, and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and
  • improve their own writing
  • write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
  • use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately
  • acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language

GCSE: English Literature

Students in Year 11 will take the AQA GCSE qualification in English Literature. The course is based on the conviction that the study of Literature should centre on an informed personal response and a critical understanding of a range of texts in the genres of prose, poetry, and drama.

This GCSE in English Literature enables students to:

  • read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading
  • read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
  • develop the habit of reading widely and often
  • appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
  • write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English
  • acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including the grammatical terminology and other literary and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read

GCSE Results 2023

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving

75% Grades 9-4 in English Language

81% Grades 9-4 in English Literature 

GCSE Results 2022

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving

74% grades 9-4 for English Language and

75% for English Literature

Extra Curricular / Clubs

Accelerated Reader Programme

To help foster a genuine love of literature and reading, The English Department incorporate Accelerated Reader into the Year 7 and 8 curriculum. Students are rewarded for every word they read, eventually working their way up to be a Millionaire Reader! Prizes are on offer for the English class that has devoured the highest number of books and read the highest number of words. Read a challenging and exciting book. Take a quiz. Become an Accelerated Reader!

Word of the week

The English department has been running an initiative with year 7s and 8s called ‘Word of the Week’ in an effort to boost pupils’ vocabulary and oral literacy. Pupils are given a challenging word each week and they must compete to be the first in their year group to use this correctly in their written or spoken work.

Debate Club

The English department host a weekly debate club that gives pupils the opportunity to practice and refine their debating skills.

Warren Podcast Club

The Warren Podcast Club is an opportunity for students to devise, develop and, eventually, record our very own Warren Podcast. ‘Kidz These Dayz’ provides a platform for students to develop their oracy, whilst discussing topical issues and arguing their point of view. We also play ‘Just a Minute’ to help develop our fluency and eloquence, ensuring to reduce any repetition, hesitation or deviation.

Theatre Trips

The English department run trips to the theatre both locally and in central London throughout the year for students in all key stages.

Homework expectations

KS3 – 45 minutes of homework per week.

KS4 – A minimum of one hour of homework each week.

KS5 – A minimum of 2 hours of homework each week.

Parents Guide to GCSE Revision

Useful Links

The following links will assist with supporting your child at home:

Revision websites:

Podcasts: