Shirebrook Academy

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Welcome to English.

Department statement
The English Department is currently made up of 8 members of staff who have varying timetable commitments to the subject. The Head of English is ably supported by a Curriculum coordinator and a Data coordinator as well as the excellent work carried out by an AST for English. We work very closely as a team to deliver the highest quality curriculum to all students and are dedicated to enabling each student to fulfil his or her potential. All teachers are encouraged to share in department planning and there is a high level of commitment from colleagues, which produces an excellent working atmosphere in this successful department.

Evidence of our continued dedication to the department can be found in our best ever GCSE results, with an A*-C grade pass rate of 55%; a percentage of which the department are immensely proud. Furthermore, our Ks3 results have been consistently good and in line with FFTd predictions. This year saw Year 9 achieve 69% level 5 plus; this can be owed to the perseverance of both staff and students.

At Key Stage 3 the English classes are set according to ability and we teach to National Curriculum requirements, following the recommendations of the National Literacy Framework. We have developed our schemes of work across the Key Stage and review them at the end of each academic year ensuring that any necessary modifications are made.
At Key Stage 4 nearly all students throughout the ability range are entered for both English Language and English Literature. Classes are set within the department according to their ability. Students follow the AQA Specification A syllabus covering skills in understanding and producing non-fiction texts, analysing literary classics such as ‘Of Mice and Men’ and Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls. Students also study a cluster of poems from the Anthology and are prepared to answer an examination question on an unseen poem. In addition to the terminal examinations students are expected to complete Controlled Assessment which includes a film review, Creative Writing a Spoken Language study and an Extended Reading study.
The department is based along one corridor and each English classroom has access to a lap top and ceiling top data projector. Furthermore, all classrooms are fully equipped with interactive whiteboards. We also have access to well-equipped ICT rooms, one of which is situated within the department. A well stocked Library and full time Librarian also support us.
Staff regularly organise theatre visits, book weeks, workshops with authors and a range of other activities to motivate and interest students. Most recently we have organised a Book Club, where students meet on a weekly basis and discuss a novel that they are all reading. This is proving to be immensely popular and students are encouraged to log their comments on the Book Club blog.
We have enthusiastic , dedicated and forward thinking teachers who teach at KS3 and KS4. As a department we are active in using a variety of teaching styles and are always keen to use different techniques to engage our students. Overall, the department are dedicated to raising standards within English and hope to make a difference to the academic progress of all students at Shirebrook Academy.

Mission Statement:
The English department believe ‘Every Child Matters’. We work as a team to provide quality teaching and learning for your children.
We teach your children as we would want our own children to be taught: with enthusiasm, with knowledge and with respect.
ENGLISH gives your children the opportunity to succeed: Support us in our aim.
Meet the department

Course(s) over view
KS3
At KS3 students study a wide range of units which include:
Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, Debating, Speaking and Listening and Creative Writing and GSCE style questions in preparation for the skills required at GCSE.

KS4
GCSE English Language and GSCE English Literature.
Non-fiction media texts, ‘Of Mice and Men’, ‘An Inspector Calls’, Review Writing, Creative Writing, Spoken Language, Speaking and Listening, Poetry

How will I be assessed?
KS3
Half termly assessment, covering Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. These skills are tested every half-term and all KS3 Students are tested again to ascertain progression at the end of the academic year.

KS4
Controlled Assessment
Speaking and Listening activities
Terminal Examination

Where next?
English is a necessary requirement of all jobs and Further Education courses.
Some possible careers where English is a fundamental requirement include:
Teacher
Journalist
Poet
Lawyer
Novelist
News Reader
Public Speaker

Extracurricular opportunities
Book Club
Working with famous authors to create your own Creative Writing
Poetry Live
Theatre Trips
KS3 and KS4 Revision classes – after school and on a Saturday prior to examinations
Revision Clinics

Key Skills
Understanding and Producing non-fiction texts
Review Writing
Analysis of Spoken Language
Speaking and Listening: Presentations/Role Play/Discussing and Listening
Extended Reading Analysis
Poetry Analysis from a cluster of poems
Unseen Poetry Analysis
Exploring Modern Texts
Poetry Across Time