Subjects: English & English Literature

Introduction

The English Department comprises a close-knit team of enthusiastic and experienced specialists who share a passion for their subject. Our aim is, in a sense, simple - to inspire pupils to write with distinction, to read widely, to think critically and express themselves with verve and imagination. We seek to make a decisive contribution not only to our pupils' academic success at the Royal High School but also to nurture their individuality and creativity by instilling in them a love of reading and writing.

Books are doorways into virtual worlds.  In the five years leading to GCSE, we will read a rich, eclectic range of texts, from established classics to the very modern. We will seek to hone our pupils' potential as writers by encouraging them to express themselves imaginatively and with precision, to reach beyond the straightforward and the everyday into a more ambitious realm of expression.

Years 7-9

The emphasis when pupils arrive at the Royal High School is on confidence and variety. Throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, all girls are taught in mixed ability sets which we have found to be the most effective way to boost confidence and motivation.  Each year offers a rich variety of linguistic and literary experience.

In Year 7, pupils read a range of novels, many different kinds of poetry, some plays - including a whole Shakespeare play - and short stories. For example, in one lesson, girls might work in small groups writing and designing a short play based on a chapter from Jamila Gavin's Coram Boy. In another lesson, they may find themselves discussing the advantages and disadvantages of immortality as explored in Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.

In Year 8, the emphasis is on developing the pleasures of writing and reading while consolidating some of the skills developed previously. They may, for example, explore  world of narrative, with the opportunity to develop an extended story over a number of chapters. Project work allows girls to develop curiosity and independence. They will write in many different styles and forms including stories, plays, poems and essays. Again, a Shakespeare play will be read and studied, with the emphasis being on imaginative responses to character and language.

In Year 9, we extend some of the skills and literary knowledge acquired up to now. Partly this year pushes back the boundaries into world literature, for example by reading some of Calvino's magical short stories, and into a genre such as the Gothic, with a study of The Woman in Black and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. A Shakespeare play such as Macbeth will be explored and enjoyed.

Above all it is a love of literature and reading that we seek to encourage. We take pupils to the theatre whenever possible. We encourage them to participate in public speaking competitions. Debate and discussion are central to our lessons. We develop our pupils' reading tastes with the help of reading lists which are constantly refreshed. There is plenty of time for quiet reading, including library lessons where girls can find a cushion and lose themselves in a book.

Years 10 and 11

As a subject at GCSE, English develops a range of vital skills. The aim of both the Language and Literature courses is to encourage girls to become alert, critically aware readers and dynamic and expressive writers

It is an exciting course. In English, girls explore different kinds of non-fiction, learning to sift material for information and to read between the lines for implicit meaning.  We analyse the ways texts are written for different purposes, looking at the techniques writers use to get their points across - including the dark arts of rhetorical manipulation - and the complex match between purpose, audience and register.

Central to our aim is to explore the effects of language in terms of word choice, sound, tone and rhythm. Girls  learn to write in a wide range of forms, from articles and newspaper reports to letters and speeches.  As we make our way through the course, girls build up a portfolio of coursework pieces, some discursive, others narrative or descriptive. We will also develop your speaking skills, honing confidence and encouraging you to speak expressively and with flair.

In the Literature course, we study plays, poems and novels, developing the ability to articulate well-informed judgements about themes and characters. The exam itself consists of responses to a number of texts; some questions involve looking closely at a passage, while others ask for an essay on characters or themes. Girls will encounter a range of novels, plays and poems which they will write about both for coursework and as exam texts - Romeo and Juliet, Rebecca or The Bell-Jar will challenge you to think hard about psychological disturbance. The poetry of Carol Ann Duffy will beguile you as she recreates the voices missing from history, including Mrs Midas and Queen Kong. And there is the chance to write creatively, by composing short stories or descriptive pieces.

We are an immensely supportive department, offering individual help when necessary, although at times we may challenge girls to find their own solutions. Our aim is to encourage our pupils to become creative, questioning practitioners of English, using language with distinction to persuade, argue, reflect and analyse.

Of course, English does not stop at the classroom door and opportunities for enrichment are plentiful. Theatre trips occur regularly, the debating society offers the chance to hear passionate argument and there are public speaking competitions to become involved in.