English

Attainment

On a day-to-day level, we ask that students are ready and keen to engage by taking responsibility for their own learning, failures and successes. This is underscored by the texts we look at and discuss, as well as more discrete lessons such as the delivery of oracy. Core of the curriculum is to hone communication skills so pupils cannot only speak and write fluently and effectively with others, but also analyse language incisively for subtext and multiple meanings. Our students are taught by highly experienced teachers who are enormously passionate about their subject. Through reading and writing, and faith in themselves and their worth, pupils have a chance to develop their critical awareness and analysis through the study of literature and language. We encourage students to be critical and reflective thinkers, to have an enquiring mind and to justify their ideas with clarity and fluency.

Reflection

According to Epicetus, only the educated are free; English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society, providing eight of the ten key skills that employers look for (World Economic Forum, 2022). Furthermore, reading for pleasure is the single controllable factor that most determines success in later life. English is the subject with the greatest potential to liberate the minds of students and allow them to discover their vocation. In addition, English promotes high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, so pupils become effective and reflective communicators, constantly endeavouring to better themselves through a charitable review of their work. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully in society: pupils who do not learn to speak, read and write as well as analyse fluently and confidently are effectively disenfranchised.

Appreciation

The English language and literary heritage span the world and capture a great range and diversity of experience in different times, cultures and nations. By encouraging a desire for reading, writing and speaking, and engaging with texts in a spirit of love and respect, pupils’ minds broaden to enable them to become culturally, emotionally, socially and spiritually intelligent members of society. English helps them to understand the diversity of the world they live in and how precious it is – that they must care for it – as well as how to find their own place in it, working with love and hope in all aspects of their lives.