The English curriculum is potentially as broad as literature and language itself. Within this, we aim to be flexible and responsive to the abilities and interests of our students whilst trying to involve and extend them. We recognise the need to equip students with the skills necessary to enable them to work independently. We consider it vital to utilise the subject knowledge and professional expertise of departmental members in curriculum planning. We seek to develop successful classroom relationships which encourage and motivate students and whilst we are consistent in our expectation of high standards, we treat students with consideration and respect.
We aim to meet the National Curriculum requirements for English through our teaching and offer students opportunities to develop as effective and confident speakers, listeners, readers and writers.
We believe that:
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English can contribute to the students’ social, moral and spiritual development and to their understanding of the human condition.
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Through reading, the study of literature, creative writing and discussion, English lessons can extend the imagination and aesthetic sensibilities of students.
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We should aim to work together as a team, regularly evaluating our own practice and attempting to look forwards and outwards towards the rest of the school.
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We are concerned that our policy informs our practice and that we focus on the reality of the classroom.
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We aim to enable students to share our enjoyment of literature and language, encouraging and valuing their responses.
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As English teachers, we have a particular responsibility to teach language skills but should also seek to encourage school-wide responsibility for the development of these skills through whole school language policies.