We aim to stimulate and maintain lasting student curiosity, interest and enjoyment in English.  We strive to create an atmosphere where students enjoy learning, so that they come to English lessons as active participants. Our English team are all subject specialists with a passion for the subject and a love of teaching.

The English department wants to enable students to reach their full potential by empowering them with the language skills necessary for the situations they will meet at school and in the wider world.  Through literature it is hoped to foster an understanding of issues that affect people, wherever they happen to live and whatever their gender, socio-economic or religious group.

There is close liaison with the School of Learning Support and EMAT to identify and provide help for those with Special Needs and those who have English as an additional language. Classes at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are taught in mixed ability groupings.  Our texts are drawn from all parts of the English-speaking world and present positive images of the societies dealt with.  We also use literature in translation.  As part of the schemes of work, students study books in which women, girls and minority ethnic groups have positive roles; students are encouraged to write stories to counteract sexism and racism.