English 

Introduction

The English Department consists of three full-time members of staff and three part-time members of staff. The Department works closely with the School’s Coordinator of Learning Support. Strong links have also been forged with the Library and its resources are used by staff and pupils on a regular basis.

We aim to develop the language competence of all pupils through the four basic activities which constitute literacy and communication: reading, writing, speaking and listening. In English, the pupils’ own active experience and own talking, writing, reading and thinking are the chief means of communication. As teachers in this thriving department, we aim to provide abundant opportunity for each pupil to use English under conditions most conducive to improvement, thus raising achievement at all levels.

English at Rishworth

We teach Year 7 in mixed-ability groups. Such is the range of activities, skills and understanding which is required of pupils in English lessons, that it would be unrealistic to assume a generalised level of ability across them all. Mindful of this, we use a variety of teaching strategies to cater for all ability levels in a group. Getting the best out of everyone means giving everyone a wide range of tasks, together with experience and stimulus for all kinds of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

In Year 8, pupils are placed into one of three sets according to ability. During the year movement between sets is possible and all pupils are assessed regarding the suitability of their set at least twice in the year.

In Year 9 pupils sit their Key Stage 3 SAT examinations, and in Years 10 and 11 sets are fixed for the duration of the GCSE course. There will be continuity of teachers from Year 9 until the end of Year 11.

GCSE: We offer pupils GCSE in both Language and Literature as separately examined and certificated subjects.

Advanced Level (AS and A2): We offer two subjects at this level - English Language and English Literature.

Outside the Classroom

The Department organises relevant theatre trips each year to Leeds and Manchester as well as to Stratford-on-Avon and elsewhere. We have also received visits from theatre groups to School.  We are always on the look out for productions of set texts at both GCSE and Advanced Level as well as theatre which might interest younger pupils.

For Advanced Level students we organise days out to specific topic-based conferences at various Universities, in order to widen the scope of study.

Other information

Within the Department staff have responsibility for other extra-curricular activities, such as the organisation of public speaking and debating, and the dissemination of information relating to literacy strategy.