The study of English is about learning to communicate effectively. Be it through reading, writing or speaking and listening, the art of communication is vital in all areas of life and affects everything that we experience around us on a daily basis.

In learning to read, understand and appreciate a range of different texts, students can learn how to distinguish fact from opinion and develop a better understanding of how writers use language to manipulate readers.

In learning about the features of these different texts, students can experiment with their own writing styles. They can develop writing techniques and basic skills to enable them to communicate more effectively with a range of audiences.

Through discussion, drama and individual presentation, students can develop their verbal communication skills and learn to respect other people's opinions, even when they are different from their own.

Frederick Gough English department is committed to enabling every student to achieve their full potential in English. We offer a wide variety of activities, texts and enrichment activities to encourage students to develop their communication skills on all levels.

In KS3, students will study Shakespeare's plays, modern drama, novels, poetry, films, media, and a range of non-fiction texts. They will be asked to read, analyse and compare a variety of texts, learning to recognise presentational features and language techniques. They will then be given opportunities to use these techniques and skills in their own writing, through a range of fiction and non-fiction writing tasks. Speaking and listening tasks will occur frequently and on both a formal and informal basis.

Formal assessment of reading, writing and speaking and listening is done through a series of controlled tasks, where preparation work will take place and then students will work individually under timed conditions on a given task. Regular feedback is given on work, both verbal and written.

In Y7 and Y8, students will have a timetabled reading lesson in the school library. We operate the Accelerated Reader Scheme, where students are encouraged to read a variety of books, take quizzes and earn points and prizes. The scheme promotes active reading amongst even the most reluctant of readers and improves reading skills, as the students must read the book in detail and hand it back before they can complete the quiz. Teachers can print off reading reports for their class groups that will show how often quizzes are taken, who by and how each individual student is scoring. They can then adjust the reading level up or down for each student to enable an appropriate level of challenge or motivate reluctant readers.

In KS4, most students will be entered for GCSE English Language and English Literature. Although awarded separate grades, the two courses are linked and are taught side by side with quite a few crossover points. Assessment is done through a mixture of controlled tasks and external examinations. The course is modular and students will be asked to study a Shakespeare play, a novel, a modern play script and a range of poetry. They will also be asked to write in different styles and for different purposes and audiences.

There are two tiers of entry for external examinations. The higher tier allows students to achieve A* - D grades and the foundation tier allows for C – G grades. Controlled tasks are not tiered so students can achieve A* - G grades. English Language is made up of 60% controlled assessment and 40% external examination. English Literature is made up of 25% controlled assessment and 75% external examination.

Extra curricular activities include a book club, Scrabble club, film club and the school magazine. Some of these are run in the library. The department also offers trips, which are linked to the curriculum, at various times of the year.