English

Our aims are:

• To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the English curriculum, in a way which is lively and thought-provoking, enabling students to develop their own opinions positively.
• To make English enjoyable as a subject through resources and specialist teaching expertise. Students are encouraged to maximize their full potential in the three areas of language development: reading, writing, and speaking and listening.
• To ensure that learners build confidence, feel valued, motivated and informed about their own progress and are proactively involved in reviewing and evaluating their individual achievements.
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
• To provide a range of learning experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of the students. Students are encouraged to actively participate in class lessons, developing the ability to communicate effectively, accurately and with confidence, both orally and in writing, in a variety of styles and situations.
• To support the English Curriculum and student's progress through the development of independent learning at home.

• Students will improve oral, reading and writing skills, experiencing a wide range of learning styles from specialist teachers.
• Focusing on the rudiments of Speaking and Listening will enable students to become confident, articulate and coherent speakers. Students will become adept at speaking in a range of different situations and for different audiences. All students are encouraged to express personal and informed opinions through discussion, presentations, role-play and improvisation.
• Students will develop their ability to read for different purposes - for information, research, cultural study and personal enjoyment.
• Students will improve their abilities in the written mode so they are able to write for a wide variety of different audiences and contexts. The need for accuracy in spelling, punctuation, grammar and paragraphing is emphasised and the opportunity for honing these vital components is littered throughout our comprehensive Schemes of Work.
• There is scope for students' personal growth as learners, through active participation in class lessons and homework.

• The vast majority of lessons are taught in specialist rooms, most of which are equipped with Interactive White Boards. Video and audio recording of students' presentations is encouraged to aid self and peer-assessment.
• Contemporary and classic Literature is used to support lessons. All works are tailored to individual classes by teachers. The English Curriculum Area has access to an extensive range of literary resources across all Key Stages.
• The Library supports the development of reading within the Academy, where staff deliver specialist library lessons to students in Years 7. The Academy has its own library staff.
• A Sixth Form Library and Study Area is available providing access to texts suitable for study at Advanced Level.

Key Stage 3:

Students follow the National Curriculum in English, which provides a broad and balanced programme of language work. All students have the opportunity to analyse poetry, prose texts and works from different cultures, to participate in play-reading and to enhance all aspects of speaking, listening, reading and writing throughout Years 7 and 8.

Key Stage 4:

GCSE English Language/English:

All students are prepared for either the AQA Specification 'A' English Language or English GCSE course, which is delivered over three years. There are three areas of assessment. Controlled Assessments are undertaken during the course of Key Stage 4; this element is worth 40% of the overall grade. Additionally, students are assessed in presenting, role play and discussion and listening skills as part of 'Speaking and Listening' which is worth an additional 20% of the overall grade. Finally, all students undertake an examination paper where their reading and writing skills are tested.

GCSE English Literature:

Students who are prepared for the AQA Specification A English Language course are also prepared for the English Literature GCSE. The Controlled Assessment response is worth 25% of the overall grade and is completed in Year 11. Additionally, students sit two examination papers: Paper One focuses on a drama text and a novel; Paper Two focuses on previously studied poetry and an Unseen element. Students have choices on which questions they address.

Key Stage 5:

Students are prepared for the AQA English Language and English Literature Combined AS and A2 course. There are two Units in the first year of the course leading to the AS award; there are two Units in the second year of the course leading to the A2 award.

Year 12:

• Students will need to analyse two texts, using appropriate terminology to support analysis and producing their own responses based on studies of the texts.
• Understanding the principles of the analysis of speech, both planned and spontaneous, is expected. Students will need to compare different kinds of spoken texts, as well as exploring speech, style and themes in a specific work of literature.

Students will experience two examinations in Year 12

Year 13:

• Students will need to explore unseen literature texts, writing commentaries on the prose/poetry given.
• A prescribed book list of poetry/prose texts will be used for students to produce their coursework response on a topic of the students' choice (approved by their tutor).

Students will experience one examination in Year 13, along with any re-sits they may wish to do to improve their previous Year 12 examination outcomes.

Tollbar Drama Club

Tollbar Drama Club is held once a week and was set up with the principal aim of offering more than just learning! Many students enjoy drama but sometimes do not get the opportunity in class to develop their interests fully; Tollbar Drama Club allows students more independent learning time.

Newsday:

Tollbar takes part in the BBC's annual 'Newsday', a national event where students are able to work independently as local journalists in a professional manner, collating and producing news reports on local events and working to a deadline. Students' reports are broadcast nationally on the BBC website.

Additional Activities:

The English Curriculum Area partakes in a varied programme of Theatre visits. This year students have seen 'An Inspector Calls' in Bradford and 'Waiting for Godot' in Birmingham, alongside participation in visiting speakers' workshops run at the Academy.

Students are encouraged to participate in various Creative Writing and Poetry competitions such as the 'Write On!' and 'Young Writers' creative challenge.

As English underpins all other subjects in the curriculum, it plays a major role in preparing students for both academia and working life.

• Provides opportunities for students who may wish to be employed in all areas of Business.
• Provides a good progression route to more advanced qualifications, particularly in the Humanities areas.
• The study of English improves students' abilities to express their ideas clearly, coherently and confidently in both speaking and writing, and to communicate effectively in all areas of adult life.