English

Head of Department
Mrs R Patel

Qualifications

BA Arts (Honours) English Language/Literature
PGCE in Secondary Education

“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

The English Department aims for all Pleckgate pupils to leave with a passion for language and literature and excellent communication skills. We want our pupils to become confident and articulate young adults who are knowledgeable about the world around them, inquisitive and critical about the texts they read.

Transition from primary school is well managed with staff trained on the demands of the KS2 curriculum paired with an excellent understanding of the ability of entering pupils. Transition from primary to secondary is purposefully planned to allow pupils to make continued progress. Pupils, together with partner primary schools, complete a transition unit based on a popular novel and they spend the summer working on a project based on what they have learned about the characters and themes in the novel. In the autumn term, when pupils join the school, pupils share their projects with their teachers and peers and there are planned opportunities for pupils to share their work.

Pupils that are below the expected standard on entry are provided with regular, ongoing support and teachers know how to adapt their teaching to ensure all learners make progress in English.

Reading is central to our curriculum and pupils are encouraged to read regularly and widely – both fiction and nonfiction. Through the study of a range of quality literature, underpinned at KS3, we build core reading and writing skills as a foundation for study at KS4. The KS3 curriculum is broad and balanced, with pupils studying full texts such as classics like “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. The study of more modern texts is also woven into the curriculum to keep literature current and relevant for our pupils. The transition from KS3 to KS4 is seamless, with pupils continuing to develop core skills in reading and writing with increasingly demanding texts for GCSE. We currently offer Eduqas English Language and AQA English Literature.

Alongside our core curriculum, strong links are maintained with the school library with pupils using this invaluable resource during English lessons and in their own free time. Reading for pleasure is encouraged and promoted in English lessons and during tutor time. Teachers regularly share their book recommendations and there are planned opportunities in lessons for thoughtful discussions to be had about the books pupils are reading.

Our aim is to develop confident, articulate pupils who speak with accurate fluency and expression. To encourage and develop oracy skills we create opportunities for pupils to regularly use and develop their spoken language through discussions, debates and performances. We teach pupils the rules of talk and how to use language in a meaningful way, and we also create opportunities for pupils to present their ideas where they can appreciate different perspectives and share their viewpoints.

We also participate in events throughout the year, including National Poetry Day and World Book Day where pupils showcase their favourite poems and have the opportunity to perform their chosen poems to an audience. Pupils are encouraged to compete in creative writing competitions, with many having had their work published. Visits to the theatre and live performances in school also help bring texts to life and enriches the English curriculum.

Please note, detailed, ‘live’ curriculum maps are held in school by teachers and continually reviewed. Every subject exercise book your child has contains a subject ‘Pleckgate Learning Journey’ that outlines the content covered, timelines and assessment points for the current year.