Intent

We study English in order to create empathetic, thoughtful and eloquent people. Through language, students examine the spoken and written word in order to develop their own communication, using language in all of its forms. Elements of language help students recognise the subtleties, explicit and implicit meanings and power of words. Students can be creative in English: imagining worlds far from their own and emulating the language used by great public speakers, journalists and authors from across time. Through literature, students immerse themselves in the lives of others, learning what it is to be human and view the world from different perspectives, enhancing their own experiences and empathising with those far removed or close by.

Ethos

We recognise the importance of English: students can often be deceived to think that English is a standalone entity, but we know that through English, we empower them to use their language across the curriculum and their lives. Students learn actively in English, enhancing themselves as spoken communicators, masters of the written word, aspiring towards passionate and wide readers. Students are able to see what other writers, speakers and performers have done, and then respond critically and imaginatively. Poetry lies at the heart of our curriculum, each poem enriching students to gain insight into the worlds of those different to themselves, both traditional and modern – exploring poetry leads students to think critically about language and meaning. Through exploration of fiction and non-fiction in its many forms, students become adept at noticing subtle changes of tone and meaning, as well as tying texts together with thematic analysis. Students will grow to appreciate the written and spoken word, experiencing texts that often present opportunities to enrich them: socially, morally, spiritually and across a range of cultures.