The English Department

 

English teaching in Friends’ is about enthusing and encouraging pupils to read widely, to discuss, to explore, to write, to question and to think independently. Classrooms are busy, lively places where pupils participate in discussion, debate, drama and a wide variety of reading and writing activities. 

 

Pupils in year 8 are allocated six thirty five minute periods, one of which is held exclusively for Library – pupils spend this time choosing books, researching and furthering their own reading interests. The teacher and librarian work together to guide pupils to new, exciting and often more challenging reading. Year 9 pupils have five periods of English with one dedicated Library class. Year 10 also have five periods of English each week. All Key stage 3 pupils follow the CCEA IT Accreditation scheme and are assessed, through English for the Cross Curricular Skill Communication. In year 10 pupil undertake the CCEA Key Stage 3 examination in English.

 

GCSE English and Literature are taught in 6 periods. All pupils in years 11 and 12 take both subjects.   Pupils are encouraged to aim for the highest grades.

 

GCSE Journalism is a popular subject choice in years 11 and 12. Pupils enjoy the opportunity to learn through practical work online and through workshop activities with working journalists.

 

This year over 50 pupils are following the CCEA syllabus in English Literature at Advanced level. In the sixth form pupils are encouraged to become more independent and responsible for their own learning. Classes are smaller and there is a significant emphasis on participation; pupils will regularly be invited to lead a discussion, give a presentation or participate in a text centred debate.  A large number of pupils go on to study English at University; we regularly send pupils to Oxford and Cambridge.

 

Our aim in the department is to encourage and enthuse pupils about the subject and the opportunities on offer through the subject. It is with a sense of the importance of an audience beyond the teacher that we invite pupils to participate in a wide range of local and national competitions. In 2009/10 year 8 pupils will be invited to participate in teams in both The Times Spelling Bee and The Kids Lit. Quiz. On an individual level pupils will be encouraged to enter a wide range of competitions writing stories and poems, writing for newspapers and anthologies and entering designs for book tokens and covers. Seniors will write for the Foyle Young Poets award and Oxford University’s Tower Poetry competition. The success pupils experience in each of these areas  is indicative of their enthusiasm for the subject.

 

Extra-curricular activities offered through English include Junior and Senior Debating and Public Speaking, Junior Drama club and Junior Book club. Alongside these run opportunities to attend the theatre and cinema and a wide range of lectures and workshops on subject related topics and issues.

 

The department seeks to encourage pupils to enjoy the subject, to be active in their learning, to read, to write creatively and to immerse themselves in the opportunities available through the study of English and Literature.