English
The English Department is a thriving and successful department, comprising of a Head of Department and eleven additional members of teaching staff. The department benefits from an Advanced Skills Teacher, who also leads the Teaching and Learning Group within the College.
Over the past four years, results have risen from 63% of students achieving A* to C in English to the current figure of 85%, of which we are very proud. This improvement has been achieved as a result of a collaborative approach to planning and a shared vision of the department in terms of teaching and learning. The department works as a team, with the strength being the sharing of resources and support wherever possible.
In Key Stage 3 the department follows a varied curriculum, which leads into GCSE courses at Key Stage 4 in English Language and English Literature. At Key Stage 5 the department offers A Levels in Literature, Language and also Combined English. All classes from Year 7 through to Year 11 have 7 periods per fortnight of English teaching, each of 50 minutes duration.
The English Department occupies several rooms along two main corridors which have recently had extensive refurbishment. All rooms are equipped with an Interactive Whiteboard and there is a state of the art Visualiser available for department use. There is a well resourced department in terms of the stock of books, as well as televisions, overhead projectors and digital cameras. The department works closely with the Media Department and several English teachers also teach the Media subject. Each member of the department has a laptop computer.
For many years we have successfully hosted trainee teachers who have all gone on to find positions in other schools or within this department.
The department is forward looking and determined to improve in spite of continued success, and, to ensure its smooth running, we have weekly departmental meetings at which we organise the week or weeks ahead and where colleagues can raise concerns or worries. This regular contact has proved a success as it encourages members of the department to feel part of a team as they know they will be kept informed and be listened to.
The aim for the department over the next few years is to maintain the high standards already achieved and to focus on performance at the very top end in an effort to improve our percentage of A* grades.
Staffing with the department is as follows:
|
Michelle Armstrong |
Teacher of English with responsibilities for Key Stage 4 |
|
Jenna Gilbert |
Teacher of English |
|
Bernadette Harrison |
Teacher of English |
|
Emma Kavanagh |
Teacher of English with responsibilities for Key Stage 3 |
|
Jacqueline Kruse |
Teacher of English |
|
Kate Lewis |
Head of Department |
|
Jane Roberts |
Teacher of English |
|
Billy Zaidi |
Teacher of English / Media Studies |