English
“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”
George Orwell
Context
English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach students to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others; and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.
Through reading, in particular, students have a chance to develop creatively, culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. An excellent vocabulary and a confident command of language plays a key role in such development. Reading enables students to acquire knowledge and to build on the skills and knowledge they already have. We place emphasis on the importance of reading as it is key to academic success and is a lifelong learning skill.
All the skills of Language are essential to participating fully as a member of society. Language is the greatest social leveller and communication skills are essential to flourish in life.
Class Activities and Enrichment
In the English department, students have participated in a range of stimulating in-lesson and enrichment activities, including:
- Debates on current and social issues linked to our key texts such as 'Who is the most marginalised character in the novel?'
- Speeches on the theme of propaganda when studying Animal Farm in Year 8
- Celebration of creativity during lockdown with most students contributing to Poetry and Short Story Anthologies
- Quotation relays to aid revision
- After-school workshops in year 11 to consolidate and stretch knowledge and skills before examinations
- Extra-Curricular clubs including: Debate Mate, Creative Writing Club and Poetry Club
- Critically analysing film adaptations of our key texts
- Writing poems on the themes of 'Gender' and 'Subversion' in Year 8
- A read-a-thon, the Carnegie Reading challenge and celebrating outstanding book reviews by students on World Book Day
In English we use a blended approach to learning giving students the chance to research and discover concepts before engaging in in-depth learning in the classroom. We support our students in becoming independent, organised and resilient learners through the setting of challenging and creative homework tasks.
We actively encourage leadership skills through the use of group work activities and opportunities to lead the learning in lessons. We understand the value of having excellent written and spoken communication skills which students develop through both formal and informal presentations; extended writing and exam practise.
KS3
English is an exciting, fun and challenging subject. Students will study a broad range of novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. They will also be writing a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts. Speaking and listening is a crucial part of the curriculum too. We value students spoken language skills and how this enriches their writing and understanding, as well as promoting deeper critical thinking. Speaking and listening activities include performing monologues, taking part in debates, delivering speeches and drama-based activities like hot-seating. We hope all our students enjoy English lessons as much as we enjoy teaching it.
KS4
Students are able to study English Language and English Literature.
In KS4, we hone the academic reading, writing and speaking skills introduced in KS3 necessary to excel at GCSE level and life beyond the classroom. We do this by: introducing GCSE exam papers; practising formal writing skills and academic literacy; building reading skills and reading strategies through fiction and non-fiction texts from the 16th - 21st Century.
At Deptford Green School, students will study a broad range of novels, short stories, plays, and poetry each year in English Literature. They will also be writing creative texts including short stories, descriptions, plays and poetry to develop their creative writing skills for the world beyond the classroom.
Speaking and listening is a crucial part of the curriculum too. We value students’ spoken language skills and how this enriches their writing and understanding, as well as promoting creative, imaginative thinking. Speaking and listening activities in Literature include: performing monologues, drama-based activities like hot-seating, scripted plays and improvisation.
Ms H Townsend: Co-Head of English townsend@deptfordgreen.co.uk
Mr TG Watts: Co-Head of English and Head of Film and Media twatts@deptfordgreen.co.uk