Taught by: Mrs Michelle Berry, BA (Hons), Essex; BA(Hons) Econ., Wales; PGCE.  and Miss Nargees Choudhury BA (Hons) MA, London

Aims & Objectives

The English department is lead by a subject specialist, who is firmly committed to a focus on learning that extends beyond the confines of the classroom. The skills and interests developed in English lessons, accompanied by a variety of other related activities, such as reading, discussion and visits to the theatre, ensure that this subject is part of the life long learning process. There is a commitment to providing a high quality, stimulating and enjoyable English education which encourages the critical reading of as wide a range of texts as possible. The skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and enable critical and creative thinking through which the students can foster and develop their ideas and values.

Islamisation: By using literature intelligently and sensitively, the English Department endeavours to instil and reinforce Islamic values and morals, in the students.

Key Stage 3

The department aims to provide a quality experience of English literature. The variety of class texts, for Key Stage 3, is part of the department’s long term planning, for improvement. The students will have experience of pre and post twentieth century texts, including contemporary authors. Various fun activities are used to strengthen the importance of reading such as: an annual Readathon, book club, publishing of students’ own prose and poetry work in books and sponsoring a book at the British Library.

Key Stage 4

In Years 10 & 11 the girls study English texts from Shakespeare, through to Blake and Dickens and on to George Orwell in the 1930s and Priestley in the 1940s. All the poets and authors are, at the very least, social commentators whose work reflects the life and times of the period, in which they wrote. These texts provide the material for a wide spectrum of analysis and understanding.

The versatility and experience present within this department ensures that a variety of teaching and learning styles are employed including:

• discussion and constructive argument arising from work
• positive reinforcement of achievement by students reading written work aloud, to the class
• time for independent reading book selection and discussion
• fostering a pride in one’s own creativity, whatever ability

Outside the Classroom: The department views class visits to the theatre and relevant places of interest as an integral part of the English programme. Attempts are made, every year, for years 9, 10 & 11 to watch a professional performance, of the plays, which are being studied. Year 9 also benefits from a trip to The Globe Theatre, time permitting. Additionally, the department tries to secure at least one theatre trip, per year, for each class; this is often supplemented by a backstage tour of a theatre such as Drury Lane.

Recent Department Visits Include:

• RSC The Tempest - Novello Theatre
• The Tempest - Aldwych Theatre
• GCSE Poetry Live with Edexcel
• The Tempest - Young Shakespeare Company - Wyllotts Theatre
• Watership Down - Lyric
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
• The Magic Carpet - Lyric Theatre
• Theatre Museum Covent Garden