Our English Department
Caring, passionate, committed and experienced teachers make up a highly successful and motivated English Team at DES. Our aims are to instill and
promote a love of English for all of our students and guide them through their learning to ensure all are given every opportunity to succeed and go beyond their potential.
At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9), we continue to build upon literacy knowledge acquired in earlier years and develop these skills so that our students have an effortless and seamless transition to IGCSE study and beyond. We continue to be guided by the National Curriculum of England and Wales which sets out our framework of study and outlines the four areas of focus: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
At DES, our curriculum is designed to engage and enthuse all students and utilises a wide range of genres including: non-fiction, fiction, poetry and drama. Material is carefully and thoughtfully selected to develop critical and analytical thinking as well as develop students' understanding of the global world we live in. Delivery is through multicultural, diverse and culturally sensitive chosen literature and media. Furthermore, students are also afforded opportunities to enjoy works of the Literary Greats like Shakespeare and Shelley. Oral communication opportunities are provided for students to express themselves through speaking and listening activities which aim to develop their confidence, as well as their communication and public speaking skills which are crucial for their lives beyond education.
Although formative assessment is continuous throughout the academic year, formal summative assessment which measures student progress, takes place every term.
At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 – 11), our students will study the IGCSE programme in English Language. At the end of the course, students will sit an IGCSE qualification in either English as a First Language or English as a Second Language. In addition to this, some students will also study and sit the English Literature IGCSE examination at the end of Year 11. Students will enter Year 10 knowing which course/s they will study at Key Stage 4 having discussed this with their English teachers in Year 9.
Our English Team will guide our English Language students through each course ensuring they cover all the required material in detail. They will be taught to analyse texts and extracts in depth and respond accordingly; they will be exposed to, and encouraged, to use more complex and ambitious vocabulary in their writing, as well as to use correct spelling and grammar;
furthermore they will continue to explore how to use punctuation and structure for maximum effect in relation to their given audience. Opportunities will be provided to further develop their oral communication style in preparation for any speaking assessments they will undertake.
Our English Literature students will explore an array of literary extracts through a poetry anthology. They will also study a prose text, a literary heritage text and a modern drama text.
Although formative assessment and monitoring is continuous throughout the course of the academic year, formal summative assessment, to monitor student progression, will take place each term. Furthermore, students will sit full external style 'mock' examinations in both Year 10 and Year 11.
At Key Stage 5 (Years 12 – 13), DES offers a number of different options for study beyond IGCSE in English. Year 12 students who are non-native English speakers have the opportunity to study and sit the IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) examination for future university entrance. The course is split into four sections: reading, writing, speaking and listening and is taught during the course of the academic year. Our IELTS examinations are overseen by The British Council, with examinations conducted externally.
AS and A2 courses are also offered for both English Language and English Literature. Both courses are designed to enhance pupils' reading, analytical and/or writing skills which they have mastered at IGCSE. AS courses are delivered over the course of a year; however, this can be continued for a further year culminating in a full A Level qualification. Both courses demand a level of commitment and independent study which facilitate and further prepare students for university.
AS General English is also offered to students. The course allows learners to develop their English comprehension and writing skills by considering topics within local and international contexts, drawing on knowledge and understanding gained from studying other subjects. Students will also enhance their analytical and evaluative opinions to formulate an argument. The skills learned from this course will support students in their future education and equip them with the necessary skills required for university study.