English vision
The purpose of the English curriculum at SFX School is to empower all students to have the courage to shine in their abilities whilst developing their compassion for others so that they can be the best version of themselves when they leave the school.
We will provide students with the literacy skills they will require in their future lives, whilst building a curiosity and passion around Literature and the English Language.
Their literacy will be enhanced through a programme of skills development which regularly interleaves prior ability with new challenges and contexts.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum will provide structured and progressive preparation for GCSE Language and Literature, in terms of analytical skills, relevant background knowledge and assessment methodology.
Our curriculum will introduce students to a wide range of writers and poets from our rich British cultural heritage (Shakespeare, Dickens, Conan-Doyle, Shelley, Blake, Tennyson amongst others), whilst also giving students opportunities to sample great modern and multi-cultural writing across a range of genre. Students’ cultural literacy will also be developed by regular exploration of, and references to, numerous examples from art, film and music. They will gain an understanding of both the historical and cultural contexts of the texts they explore.
In light of our religious ethos, our curriculum will give students many opportunities to examine how writers communicate their faith, for example the theme of Redemption in ‘A Christmas Carol’. Students will examine many facets of the Gospel values through texts that they will study, and the themes and ideas which they will explore across the various units of the curriculum.
The overarching ambition for all students at SFX is that, when they finish their study of English, they will love and appreciate the richness of the English language
Curriculum team
Mrs J Martin – Head of English
Mrs K Dunkley – English Teacher
Mrs A Fawcett – English Teacher
Mrs M Izdebski – English Teacher
Miss C Smith – English Teacher
Mr M Woffenden – English Teacher
KS4 courses
GCSE English Language – AQA (8700)
GCSE English Literature – AQA (8702)
Enrichment opportunities
In addition to the timetabled lessons the English department enhances the curriculum through a number of clubs and activities:
- Debating/Public Speaking Society and Competitions
- Brilliant Books Club
- Various creative writing groups (currently a poetry group)
- We support members of the Eco Team in writing and editing their articles and presentations
We look for opportunities to take classes/whole year groups to experience live theatre. In recent years this has included:
- Year 11 ‘Blood Brothers’ trip
- Year 7 ‘pop-up Globe’ performances of ‘The Tempest’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in York
We have run a joint History/English Literature trip to London for KS4 students, incorporating visits to Shakespeare’s Globe, Charles Dickens museum, the Imperial War Museum and live theatre experiences, which at the last visit was an RSC Production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
