English

The Team

We are an exceptionally successful department and pupils make outstanding progress: in 2009-10 90% of pupils made three levels progress by the end of Key Stage Four (against 71% nationally). The English team at Heartlands Academy’s are committed, enthusiastic and, above all, teach engaging lessons. All teachers are subject specialists, whilst having a wide range of experience and expertise. We hope to instil in our pupils a lasting love of Literature and of the spoken word – but also to love learning and to have inquisitive minds. We have high aspirations for our pupils and challenge and stretch all learners in every lesson.

Curriculum

In the first three years (Years 7-9), students follow a wide and varied curriculum based on the demands of the National Curriculum. Students will be exposed to a great range of reading texts including some of the works of Shakespeare, Literary Heritage and contemporary poetry, the full range of non-fiction texts, classic and modern prose and an exciting range of play scripts. Pupils will write in all sorts of different forms and for a range of different audiences and purposes and will be taught a range of Drama and Speaking and Listening activities alongside these texts.

Year 10 and 11 students will work through the AQA or WJEC specifications, as they study for either GCSE English, GCSE English Language and Literature. Key Stage Four pupils are taught in the smallest sets possible and have an excellent support programme in place. In addition, at Key Stage Five we deliver an ‘A’ Level English Literature course and are currently exploring introducing an additional course in Media Studies.

Learners will be assessed throughout the year. As per the National Curriculum, assessments will focus on the four key skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. A great deal of responsibility is placed on our students as teachers encourage a mixture of self and peer assessment in an attempt to foster a sense of ownership and pride in each child’s own learning and progression.

Ethos

We take pride in our diverse school community and strive to reflect these differences of race, religion and heritage through our choice of texts. Students will be taught a range of material from other cultures which will allow our children to mature into sensitive and empathetic citizens.

While the English department is aware of the need to address traditional texts and topics, we are also conscious of the need to introduce new material and approaches as we aim to stimulate and maintain the motivation of our students. Individuality is encouraged among each member of staff, as it is in the individual voice of each student.