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English
We believe that the study of English promotes essential skills enabling students to lead a successful and fulfilling life. The study of English in spoken and written form empowers students to express themselves with confidence orally and in their own writing. It allows an opportunity for an appreciation of language in action as well as a critical awareness of how its power can be used to manipulate through bias or prejudice. Enquiry into the English language promotes an understanding of its roots: the history of its development and the wide influences brought to bear on its evolution in the past and currently. The use of English allows students to develop their own thoughts and ideas, as well as encouraging a personal voice, thus leading to confidence in their communication with others.
Key Stage 3 (Saltus 7 - 9)
Speaking and listening is regarded as a key element in the learning process of English and students will be asked to discuss ideas and express their views on a regular basis. Reading is seen as a key learning tool as well as an objective in itself; most areas of study will involve the students in reading material of some kind. Areas of study which will focus on reading skills in particular will be the whole class text, shared/independent reading and drama texts.
Examples of texts studied at this level include The Tempest (Shakespeare), Boy (Roald Dahl), Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (M.D. Taylor), Animal Farm (G. Orwell), and The Diary of Anne Frank.
Students are given the opportunity to gain confidence and skill in writing in a range of styles for a number of different audiences and purposes. Students learn that writing is a process and are encouraged to plan, draft, re-draft and edit their work.
Key Stage 4 (Saltus 10 and Saltus 11)
All students follow two courses at IGCSE level: English Language and English Literature. Both have a coursework component and a final written examination.
Although many of the learning tasks for these courses overlap, they are two separate subjects and students gain two IGCSE qualifications.
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English Language: The course aims are to enable students to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in speech and writing; to enable students to understand and respond appropriately to what they hear, read and experience; to encourage students to enjoy and appreciate variety of language; to complement students’ other areas of study by developing skills of a more general application (e.g. analysis, synthesis, drawing of inferences); to promote students’ personal development and an understanding of themselves and others.
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IGCSE - English Language
The written examination tests both reading and writing ability, whilst the coursework portfolio allows students the opportunity to write at greater length and to demonstrate a range of writing skills. These include informative, persuasive, descriptive and imaginative writing
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English Literature: The course aims are to develop the ability of students to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in speech and writing; understand and respond imaginatively to what they hear, read and experience in a variety of media; enjoy the reading of literature and appreciate its contribution to aesthetic and imaginative growth; explore areas of universal human concern, thus leading to a greater understanding of themselves and others. The written examination tests students’ understanding of themes, character and stylistic features in both drama and prose. The coursework portfolio allows students to explore a poetry anthology and respond at greater length.
- IGCSE - English Literature
The Graduate Years
- Advanced Placement Language – SGY 1 or SGY 2: This is a college level course that focuses on critical thinking, reading, and writing through the study and discussion of narrative, expository, analytical, argumentative, and creative writing. Emphasis will be placed on the student's organization, personal and creative writing, research skills, discourse, vocabulary, reading, and control of language.
- AP - English Language & Composition
- Advanced Placement Literature – SGY 1 or SGY2: A.P. English Literature is a college level English course. The focus is on close, critical reading of poetry, drama, prose fiction, and expository literature from the sixteenth century to the present. Critical discussion and writing about these works will centre on each writer’s technique, style and structure as well as the writer's diction, imagery, use of detail, language and syntax and to what effect these techniques have been employed. Vocabulary study is also an important aspect of this course. The overarching goal of the A.P. English Literature course is to help students develop mature habits of critical thinking as independent readers of and writers about literature.
- AP - English Literature & Composition
- Advanced English – SGY1 or/and SGY 2: Advanced English is a mixture of college preparatory units and the study of English literature and language. The overarching aim of the Advanced English course is for students to achieve a level of maturity in speaking, listening and writing which will prepare them for the demands of a college course. The study of literature is aimed at extending their analytical skills while encouraging interest in challenging and stimulating prose and drama.
Further Information
If you would like to read any further information regarding the GCSE or AP curricula outlined within this site please visit either of the following examination board web sites: -
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