English
Staffing: Mrs Brannon-Barnett (Head of English), Mrs Osborne (i/c Media Studies), Mr Fisher, Mr Guest, Ms Kennedy, Miss Simm and Miss Long (Learning Assistant)
As we plunge ever further into the 21st century our role as English teachers continues to develop. We must prepare pupils for an uncertain future, jobs which have not even been conceived of yet and for continued advances in communication technologies. In English it is imperative to promote competence and confidence in communication as well as creativity, cultural understanding and critical understanding.
Key Stage 3
We aim to develop our pupils’ skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening within the frameworks of the National Curriculum and the National Literacy Strategy. We achieve this through theme based units of study which are designed to focus on either reading, writing or speaking and listening skills, covering a range of literary and non-fiction texts and providing opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences. Units are usually 5 weeks long. This maintains pace and high levels of pupil engagement and allows for an assessment in the penultimate week with feedback and an opportunity to consolidate learning before starting the next unit.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage Four we follow the OCR 2010 Specifications. The majority of pupils are working towards GCSE qualifications in English Language and in English Literature. This is through a combination of formal examination, teacher-assessed controlled assessment and speaking and listening activities.
However, some pupils will be entered for the new combined GCSE English course; this is a single GCSE that covers a wide range of language skills as well as poetry and Shakespeare. The combined English course is designed to reduce the pressure on some pupils whilst still allowing them the opportunity to achieve any of the full range of grades.
Pupils can achieve an A* - G in any of the three qualifications. Please see the calendar on the website for details of when your child may be sitting a controlled assessment or external examination. More information can be found at http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gcse_2010/index.html
Extra Curricular Activities
The department encourages participation in a range of creative writing competitions and many of our pupils have had work included in anthologies. Year 11 pupils are given an annual opportunity to attend the ‘Poetry Live’ event in Manchester where contemporary writers read and perform their work. In Years 7 and 8, all pupils are actively encouraged to participate in the BCEHS Reading Challenge and year 7 are invited to participate in the “Booked Up” great book giveaway each October. Film club is very popular and aims to get pupils developing an appreciation of cinematography from around the world, past and present. Creative Writing Workshops have also given pupils the opportunity to enter various competitions as well as develop their skills. Pupils are also given regular opportunities to participate in theatre trips organised through the Drama department.
Future Development
The department has begun to forge links with other forward-thinking and like-minded schools in Bury. This partnership enables our pupils to benefit from ideas and initiatives from other schools and it also means that we are contributing something to the wider schools’ community.
