ENGLISH & ENGLISH LITERATURE

English and English Literature are taught throughout the school until the end of Year 11. English Literature is always a popular choice of subject at Advanced Level and several girls often choose to study the subject at University; this year a student accepted a place at Oxford reading English Literature. The girls always do well in their examinations - 100% pass rate at Advanced Level for the last sixteen years and a high pass rate at GCSE also - and enjoy their study of literature as well as the chance to express their ideas in essays and oral assignments.

The girls are taught in forms in Years 7-9. Work is based on topics or themes in the junior part of the school with the study of novels, poems and plays central to the assignments being set. Books such as Refugee Boy, Bridge to Terabithia, Animal Farm and Stone Cold are read, while Year 7 undertake a Shakespeare project based on Twelfth Night or A Midsummer Night's Dream in the summer term and Year 8 read selections from Charles Dickens. Year 9 study amongst other topics the development of the English Language, Media and enjoy classic poems such as The Lady of Shalott.

There is setting in Years 10-11 to coincide with the beginning of the GCSE courses. We follow WJEC's specifications for English and Literature and the majority of the girls sit two examinations at the end of Year 11, one in English and one in Literature, for which they are awarded two GCSE grades.

An interest in reading and literature is fostered in all years. Years 7 and 8 have a private reading lesson in the library each week. Year 7 participates in Readathon, and a book event is held every year to coincide, if possible, with Children's Book Week. Last year we held an inter-class reading competition to celebrate World Book Day, with the final being judged by an outside adjudicator. Years 7-8 have already enjoyed storytelling sessions with a visiting speaker.

English is also an important part of the extra-curricular life of the school. Theatre visits and workshops are organised for all years when appropriate. Last year, Year 7 attended a performance of Watership Down at the Lyric, Hammersmith and The Sixth Form recently participated in trips to see Othello and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Students' work is entered into national competitions and last year 15 students enjoyed seeing their work in print. One student in Year 9 was also named as one of the Foyle's 'Young Poets of the Year', which was a huge honour.

The Department has also forged successful cross-curricular links. Each year sees a visit to the Somme in conjunction with the History department; a hugely enjoyable excursion to Chaucer's Canterbury with Religious Studies and Classics; and other visits which allow the girls to develop their imaginative and creative skills - an excursion to the Frida Kahlo exhibition, for instance, inspired the girls to write poetry which was published in a UK schools anthology.