English

In every year group, pupils are taught interleaved units of language and literature within a positive learning environment; all pupils are appropriately challenged and supported to reach their full potential.

Through literature and the study of novels, poetry and plays, pupils explore what it is to live in the varied, ever changing and sometimes confusing world we inhabit. We provide pupils with the opportunity to read a range of texts, fiction and non-fiction, from a variety of authors, cultures and centuries.  At STARS we want students to relish the opportunity to read widely and by doing so, explore a range of cultures, experiences and opinions.  Pupils read for pleasure every day in lesson time and in this way pupils develop their empathy skills, as well as their ability to form their own opinions based on their knowledge and experience of the world.

Our aim is to develop a love of literature and the English language to ensure that our pupils are confident, imaginative, clear communicators, developing their writing skills in rhetoric, description and narration.

Reintegration

Both at KS3 and KS4 our focus is on providing a supportive environment, so that pupils can thrive and engage in learning again; through discussion and a focus on spoken language, pupils build self-belief, enabling them to return to mainstream school with confidence. Our curriculum closely follows the national curriculum taught at schools within the borough and close links with local English departments ensures cohesion.  Trips to local schools to watch plays for example builds resilience around managing a bustling mainstream environment and creates positive experiences.  

At KS4, if reintegration back to school is not possible, then English lessons fully prepare pupils, enabling them to read, understand and access examination materials so that they are able to achieve their potential and progress onto the next stage of their learning journey. 

Strengths

The English department offers two GCSEs:  English Language and Literature, as well as Entry Level qualifications.  Teaching and learning is outstanding across the department, as evidenced by Ofsted, as well as our excellent GCSE exam results. Overall, pupils make expected or accelerated progress in English, in line with the national expectations.

Pupil Views

Creativity is at the core of the English department, leading to exciting and challenging lessons, for all abilities.  Pupils at STARS enjoy English lessons and the opportunity to discuss, analyse, perform and create.  

Feedback from Pupil Voice questionnaires is overwhelmingly positive.  Pupils comment that through English they have been better able to learn about the world, especially human nature, which has enabled them to understand more clearly how people around them behave. 

Enrichment

The pupils’ classroom experience is enhanced by extra-curricular activities, such as theatre trips to Wimbledon theatre, or to central London to see Shakespeare, modern plays such as ‘Blood Brothers’, 'Poetry Live', and adaptations of novels such as ‘A Christmas Carol’.  We also live stream RSC theatre productions wherever possible.

In addition, there are visits to such places that will broaden pupils’ understanding of the literary world, such as Dickens’ house in London or attending creative writing workshops.

Pupils have also been involved with recommending titles and ordering new books for our lending library. The reading dog remains a huge success, encouraging reluctant readers to gain confidence with their reading.