English
At Highfields we have a creative, individualised approach to studying English which ensures our students become engaged, confident and literate learners. We strive to maximise the potential of each student and foster independence and resilience in their approach to learning, enabling them to access all aspects of their curriculum and making sure they are fully prepared for the world of work.
As a department we are passionate about developing a culture of reading, writing and oracy within all our students. A love of the subject is nurtured throughout each stage of their education and builds on the vital foundations established at primary school. Their English studies are designed to enrich their learning, challenge their understanding and help them to develop mature, informed opinions of the society in which they live.
We believe our unique curriculum structure in English facilitates and underpins our outstanding results One of the key strengths of our schemes is that we encourage innovation and creativity within a clear and focused framework. The long term, medium term planning and schemes of work for all key stages consider carefully spacing and interleaving of knowledge and give an overview of how the whole school’s 4Rs initiative is integrated into English delivery. Teachers make explicit reference to the 4Rs in their lessons and make clear how this scientific theory can support students in learning well, retaining crucial subject specific information and maintaining more general literacy skills in the longer term.
At Key Stage 3, students study schemes of work which cover all three areas within English (Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening) and provide a strong foundation for their GCSE studies. The medium term plans for these programmes highlight the core GCSE objectives, substantive knowledge and outcomes to be delivered. Students read a variety of challenging texts within class and in all years they study at least one Shakespeare play as well as extracts from Pre 20th Century prose and poetry. Enrichment visits to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and the Lighthouse Cinema are regularly offered and wider reading beyond the classroom is encouraged and supported through the structure of our own Wider Reading Passports and extra-curricular activities such as the Carnegie Medal Book Group and author visits.
At GCSE level the department follows the Eduqas Board. The vast majority of students study both Literature and Language. We continue to encourage enjoyment and engagement with core texts through visiting theatre companies and use of audio- visual material we feel develops contextualisation of learning. We build strong working relationships between staff and pupils maintaining an ongoing dialogue between home and school as a key element to enhance and extend learning. All teachers have an in depth knowledge of assessment and how to move pupil progress forward which underpins our historically outstanding outcomes at GCSE and A-Level.
The ethos of A-Level English Literature at Highfields is about building on students’ success at GCSE level and independent learning skills, widening their horizons, encouraging them to become critical readers and preparing them for the challenges that further and higher education will bring. The curriculum exposes students to a wide range of academic literature set against a historicist background and encourages them to enjoy and engage with a more insightful world view. Enrichment and Cultural Capital are also essential and students are afforded opportunities to attend university style lectures and performances at the theatre, which bring their exam texts to life.
Subject Curriculum Overview
English (KS3)