English

Our department is characterised by a strong sense of collaboration and enthusiasm for our subject and our pupils. We enjoy an excellent working relationship with staff from other departments both in our own school and at others.

The department’s main aim is to achieve the highest possible standards for all of our pupils. We hope that pupils will enjoy their work in English and we strive to ensure that our curriculum offers a rich and diverse range of learning experiences.

We seek to provide each pupil with a personally stimulating and engaging programme, designed to equip them not just for academic success, but also for life in the wider world.

 

The strength of The English Department at Thorpe House School is reflected in many aspects of school life.

The boys are encouraged to use their skills as an integral part of school performances and events; there are plenty of opportunities for them to become involved in this throughout the year. Among these events are formal speaking competitions, debating skills workshops, poetry competitions and more.

The Department recognises the importance of its role within every other subject in school and always encourages boys to recognise their strengths and to strive for their best at all times.

 

For Junior English the boys are taught in “Set” groups, as well as in “Form” groups, with equal emphasis given to reading, writing and oral skills. We do this in order to provide the educational base across a range of skills and to develop the full range of competences that the subject requires. Our aim is to inspire and equip the boys for the challenges ahead.

English in the senior part of the school is designed to stimulate minds and develop and build on core competencies in language use and literary analysis. An emphasis on critical thinking and challenging content characterise a forward thinking and ambitious departmental ethos. Boys will find that they are entering a vital and exciting literary world which will both inspire and challenge them

 

The department teaches the Edexcel syllabus. The syllabus works via a mix of internally assessed units, with formal external examinations in Year 10 and 11. The programme of study is based on discrete units: Original Writing, Media, text based units: a post and pre 1914 prose text, followed by Shakespeare and modern drama text. Finally a unit on the spoken word, along with speaking and listening assessed assignments.

The most able pupils are able to pursue wider reading, debating, and public speaking as activities, aimed at those seeking the highest achievement levels.