English

English is the subject at the heart of teaching and learning. Language enables students to communicate, to question, to understand and to progress. Because of this, teachers in the English department believe we have a responsibility to ensure that our provision for students at Alder is of the very highest standard.

There are four full time teachers of English and two assistant head teachers who also teach in the department. We are all passionate about the subject and endeavour to inspire students to share in our love of language. Teachers in the English department are committed to working hard, in order to achieve the best for our students.
   
   
 
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We believe the English curriculum is incredibly exciting. Through the development of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, young people are introduced to critical methods and ways of thinking which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It is our aim to create schemes of work and activities that have ‘real life’ relevance and develop key skills that will be essential in adulthood.		  

 

 


 At key stage 3, students work in ability groups. This enables us to differentiate more effectively and target students’ needs more effectively. We explore a vast array of text types, ranging from diary extracts to business proposals! In order that students are fully prepared for the end of key stage SATs, they must be familiar with all text types and styles of writing for both fiction and non-fiction texts. We study several novels, short stories, poems and play scripts throughout years 7 – 9; some are contemporary texts, whilst others were written pre 1914. Students are exposed to a variety of moving image and media texts, learning to analyse the features of various genres. Drama now plays a significant part in the English curriculum and students are given opportunities to work collaboratively to create their own short performances. The department owns a trolley of laptops which are used regularly in English lessons for research tasks. We also incorporate presentation packages into lessons, teaching students to use such devices appropriately and to good effect.

 

Key stage 4 is divided quite distinctly between years 10 and 11 in that in year 10, the content of the course is predominantly coursework based and in year 11, the focus is on examination preparation. We follow the OCR syllabus for GCSE and run an entry level certificate course for students of lower ability. Our aim is that all students leave Alder with a recognised qualification in English and the majority with a GCSE in Literature. Coursework includes four assignments: the study of a Shakespeare play; a response to a pre 1914 prose text; a comparison between two pre-1914 poems; and a piece of creative fiction writing. The English exam includes two papers and for the Literature, three contemporary texts must have been studied. In addition to this, students have to complete three pieces of speaking and listening coursework.

In 2006, the English department was appointed ‘Lead department’ by the Tameside Lea English consultants. This was as a result of our hard work and progress in incorporating ‘Assessing Pupils’ Progress’, a new government initiative, into our department. The department continues to lead the implementation and development of APP across the authority.

Furthermore, we have recently added many new resources to our department in order to provide students with the very latest learning tools. We have bought a wide selection of up-to-date texts for students to read and media equipment, such as a further digital camera and video camera. In terms of ICT, we have invested in inspirational software for students and teachers to use in lessons.

To enrich the curriculum, we organise trips to theatres, libraries and cinemas. Library club runs at lunch time every day and coursework club runs one night each week. Booster and revision classes are run by all members of the department, at lunch times, after school and during the holidays. For the first time last year, we entered the ESU Public Speaking Competition – something we hope to continue in the future. For year 9 students, there is a performance and workshop by a visiting theatre company to help them in their preparation for SATs. In 2007, some year 7 students took part in a crime investigation literacy workshop and a group of year 9 students gained the opportunity to work with a professional actor – hot from his performance as Caliban in The Tempest at The Royal Exchange!