Language and the ability to use it as a powerful tool, enables young people to articulate their feelings, ideas and arguments. Essential skills which they need both in general life but also in the world of work, further education and society. The younger generation will be the decision makers of our future and developing rhetoric will be the way they express those ideas which may change the world. 

By studying a variety of high-quality literature, creativity, personal reflection and the skills of interpretation are developed. We want our young people to be able to read a text and whilst being able to critically evaluate the meaning of the writer also be able to enjoy the actual act of immersing themselves in the joy that reading brings to life and society. 

Fiction, stories that explore human emotions, tragedies and the very depths of a person’s soul, make the reader understand both the world of today but also of the past. Other worlds become accessible, whether ancient or fantastical. 

Non-fiction, the ability to empathise and understand events from different perspectives, times, cultures and places. Comparing and contrasting viewpoints, experiences and situations enables a young person to create their own aesthetic taste. Ensuring that our learners can identify biased opinions that aim to manipulate the reader and have the skills to develop their own ideas and opinions. 

Essentially, we want our young people to leave us with a love of language in all its marvellous forms. With the creative skills to use their imaginations and experiences to achieve in whatever journey they take in life.

The English Department consists of ten English specialists. We are committed to ensuring students leave the Academy with the necessary skills and qualifications in English to succeed in life.

English Language is so important. You will need at least a Grade 5 in English to access Level 3 courses. Most careers will ask you to have a certain level of English too. Your grade in English and Maths will always be looked at by employers when they are considering you for a job.

From studying English Language GCSE, you can go on to study English Language A-Level. This can lead to studying all sorts of subjects at University or onto exciting English based apprenticeships. For example:

• Print or broadcast journalism;
• Digital Marketing and communications;
• Public Relations;
• Publishing;

Check out the range of apprenticeships here which need you to have good English skills or take a look at some more information about English based degrees here.

English Literature, although not a requirement for Further Education, is an important GCSE which displays an educated and lively mind. If you wish to go on to study English Literature at A-level, it also gives you a great foundation in your learning and skill development.

English Literature A-level can lead you to studying a wide variety of subjects at University. English Literature can be studied on it’s own or it can be combined with other subjects such as:

• History;
• Creative Writing;
• Drama;
• English Language.

Have a look at the UCAS website to see how many different combinations you can do.

Students follow an engaging, accessible, inclusive curriculum, incorporating a wide range of texts to prepare them for the requirements of the 2018 GCSE specification. Reading and writing skills are assessed each half term. Alongside English lessons, students also receive a weekly Literacy lesson, designed to support the writing skills of students across the curriculum. Students also participate in a weekly Accelerated Reader lesson to promote independent reading for pleasure.

Year 10 and Year 11

All students are studying two GCSEs – one in English Language and the other in English Literature.

The Language course requires students to complete:

• Two externally assessed exams testing both reading and writing skills.

This requires from students the ability to read previously unseen texts (both fiction and non-fiction) and think carefully about the way they have been written and what they mean, before offering their opinions on the writer’s methods. The other half of these exams test students’ abilities to write extended pieces in a variety of ways – everything from stories and creative descriptions, to letters, newspaper articles and speeches which require them to construct an argument.

The Literature course requires students to complete:

• Two closed book externally assessed exams based on Blood Brothers by Willy Russell, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, Macbeth by William Shakespeare and Relationships poetry from AQA anthology.