Intent
In English we aim to provide a curriculum that is rich in diversity, creativity and opportunity and which is driven by challenge. It is knowledge rich and sequential, builds upon prior understanding and ensures that there are regular opportunities to review content through interleaving.
We also aim to:
- Successfully equip students with the necessary skills needed both in and outside of the classroom.
- Promote independent learners and critical thinkers who are not afraid to take risks when expressing themselves and when faced with opposing views.
- Foster a love of reading both in and outside of the classroom and expose students to whole and high-quality texts.
- Create confident and competent users of literacy and oracy. Students are empowered to use the power of talk to build confidence, enhance learning and change their own lives.
Welcome to the English Department
The English Department have curated a curriculum that is personalised to our students’ needs and our school priorities. It enriches our students’ understanding of the society around them and their place within it, suitably preparing them for life beyond secondary school. Our curriculum actively encourages students to vocalise their thoughts and feelings on the big ideas and concepts explored in texts and develops their cultural capital by exposing them to a wealth of Literature. Over the course of KS3 and KS4, students are also provided with a number of extracurricular opportunities, including theatre performances, which serve to deepen their understanding and further fuel their imaginations.
What are we most proud of?
We are most proud of the depth and breadth of our English curriculum and the journey that students are invited to go on as they explore Literature through time. They will study some of the most iconic texts and writers that have shaped the English landscape and explore the nuances of our language and its importance in shaping meaning.
School Library
The TQEA library is a welcoming space with around 3,000 books, including fiction, non-fiction, magazines, graphic novels, and short stories—there’s something for every reader. Students can borrow up to 2 books at a time and are welcome to visit during break and lunch to borrow, return, read, or study in a calm and friendly environment.
The library aims to actively support and encourage reading, whether for pleasure or learning, offering a wide range of fiction and non-fiction to suit all ages and abilities. Weekly book clubs at KS3 and KS4 give students the chance to discover new stories, share recommendations, and enjoy reading together. Our collection is regularly refreshed with popular novels, classic favourites, and inspiring reads. Students are also encouraged to enter national writing competitions; in recent years, several TQEA students have had their work published or shortlisted in competitions judged by well-known authors.