English

Intent:

The English Department at Sandhurst School is committed to fostering a lifelong love of learning through a rich and stimulating English curriculum. We believe English is fundamental to success in all areas of life, equipping students with the essential skills of literacy and communication.

Further information

Our Curriculum:

The curriculum is designed to develop confident and articulate communicators. Students will be empowered to express themselves clearly, fluently, and creatively in both spoken and written English. They will learn to adapt their language to different audiences and purposes. They will be able to communicate with precision. The curriculum is designed to enable all students to leave with a good pass in English language.

The curriculum experience develops critical thinkers and analytical readers. We will equip students with the tools to analyse a wide range of texts, from classic literature, and literary criticism to contemporary media. They will develop skills in close reading, interpretation, and critical evaluation.

We strive to ensure that all students develop a love of independent reading through the recurrent focus on it (at the start of lessons, in the library, through homework). All students will be exposed to a diverse range of high-quality texts, both classic and modern, that will broaden their understanding of the world and themselves. They will encounter critical responses and understand how these reflect the text but also the writer. The curriculum is designed to enable all students to achieve a grade in GCSE English literature.

Implementation: Teaching and planning:

Our teachers are passionate about English and dedicated to creating a stimulating learning environment where all students can thrive. We are committed to providing a curriculum that is both challenging and rewarding, ensuring all students reach their full potential in English.

We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment where all students feel respected, valued and empowered to participate. We encourage collaboration where students learn from each other and work together to solve problems, building communication, resilience and teamwork skills in the process. We offer enrichment opportunities both within the classroom and through extracurricular activities. We identify the needs of our SEND/SEMH students to best support them in their education, including differentiated instruction and collaborations with learning support specialists to ensure all students can flourish in mathematics. We are passionate mathematicians and we strive to instil this enthusiasm in our students, creating a positive learning experience for all.

Assessment:

Students’ work in books (KS3) & folders (KS4) will be frequently seen and assessed for misconception as shown on the schemes of work (1 chilli), this may result in reteaching and, or, intervention. At least 3 times per term students will be assessed more formally through a ‘hot-task’ (2 chillies on the SoW), these will take place in exam conditions and will be recorded in the hot-task booklets, marked and levelled according to the markschemes in the booklets. Following the marking of hot-tasks a DIRT lesson / part of will take place addressing the issues raised and modelling good answers.

Impact:

We aim to equip students with the essential literacy skills needed for success in further education, employment, and life as active citizens. Through our curriculum, students will gain exposure to a variety of cultures and historical periods, fostering empathy and understanding of the world around them and their role in it. The intention is to ensure equality of opportunity: through differentiated resources and teaching and our alternative curriculum we will facilitate all students fulfilling their potential. The least able will be supported through modelling, scaffolding and regular rewards (stepping stone qualifications); the most able will have lessons designed to challenge and incorporate the study of academic texts.

Curriculum time allocation:

KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) - 7 hours per fortnight

KS4 (Year 10) - 8 hours per fortnight

KS4 (Year 11) - 9 hours per fortnight