English

The department is currently being led by Mr Steve Damms (Assistant Principal), pending the appointment of Subject Leader.

Mrs Julie Price - Academy's Literacy Co-ordinator
Mrs Emmanuelle Bishton - Assistant Subject Leader for English
Ms Claire Bailey - SEN Co-ordinator and Associate Senior Leader (Oracy and Differentiation)
Mr Frank Sheils - English teacher and KS4 Support Unit Manager
Mrs Annabel Westland - English Teacher
Mr Peter Smith - English teacher
Mr Paul Murray-Stringer - English teacher
Ms Beth Marsden - English teacher
Ms Sarah Smith - English teacher
Mr Matthew Maynard - English teacher
Mr John Butterfield - English teacher

Key Stage 3
Students are set by ability, within two broad bands, based on their KS2 Levels in the core subjects.  Sets are reviewed, as students' progress is assessed, each half term.

Study Schedules (Schemes of Work) are organised within year groups 7 - 9, to ensure that the full range of skills is covered - creative and transactional writing, reading of poetry, drama, prose (pre- and post - 1914 texts) and non-fiction, speaking and listening, By Y9, most students have progressed to studying units relevant to GCSE English.

Key Stage 4
Students in the Academy currently follow the WJEC Syllabus for GCSE English/English Literature; this is currently under review, and it is likely that we shall move to the EDEXCEL exam board from September 2010.

Studetns are set by ability; by the summer term of Y10, the most able students are entered for GCSE English.  The aim is then for all students to be entered for the GCSE exam in November of Y11, with some then re-sitting in the summer, when most will also sit GCSE English Literature.  As qualifications are amassed, sets are reviewd to enable teaching and learning to be precisely focussed on students' needs and targets.

Key Stage 5
Our post - 16 English provision is in the early stages of development since its inception in 2008.  We currently offer AS Level courses in English Language and English Literature, with some students progressing to A2 (the full "A" Level) in these subjects.

Students are given excellent opportunities to develop their skills to meet the demands of advanced level study; the teachers of AS and A2 are fully committed and highly enthusiastic.  They have a range of experience and expertise, from enty level teachers, to staff with over thirty years' service.  Other colleagues are also keen to take on A Level teaching, so the longer term prospects for this area look good.

The department has close links with the Academy's Learning Resource Centre; the facility offers our students excellent opportunities for developing their skills in reading, ICT, and indepedent learning.

In recent years, we have forged strong links with the BBC, under the leadership of Ms Bishton and Mrs Westland; our students have had the opportunity to work closely with media professionls from radio and television, and some of them were involved in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event, in December 2009.

Surveys of our students and their parents have consistently shown that they have a high regard for the standards of English teaching in the Academy.

Results
2009 GCSE Results - English - 30% attained A* - C      English Literature - 43% attained A* - C

We are currently a National Challenge shcool; our A* - C target for English is 42%, to ensure that we meet the "floor target"of 30% five A* -C including English and Maths.