English

Introduction:

The English Department at King Henry VIII is an enthusiastic team of seven full-time and one part-time teachers. We are committed to encouraging and fostering in pupils a long-lasting love of literature and to helping pupils explore the ways in which literature can teach them about the world and about themselves. We are a friendly team, with high expectations of our pupils but maintaining, we hope, a relaxed and open relationship with them.

Facilities/resources:

The English Department consists of six spacious classrooms. Each classroom is equipped with data projectors and networked computers. We also have a recently refurbished Drama Studio, where pupils can hone their drama skills. Two of the rooms are specifically Sixth Form teaching rooms, each with their own specialist library for English Language or English Literature. ICT provision takes place in a suite of IT rooms.

What we do:

As a core subject, it is our responsibility to ensure that all pupils make progress in their literacy skills and in their understanding and interpretation of a range of texts. We offer units of work on the History of the Language, Shakespeare, the Novel, Poetry and others in order to widen and develop their love of the subject and their knowledge. Each Year builds on key skills so that by the time pupils reach Year 10, we feel that they are ready to take on the challenges of GCSE with confidence and insight. We mentor and teach pupils applying for Oxbridge and have seen many of our Sixth Formers successfully gain a place at the college of their choice. We work closely with the Librarian to arrange events such as the Big Read and for pupils to have opportunities to write reviews of books for other pupils. Equally, we also work closely with the Learning Development co-ordinator to ensure that all pupils can work to the best of their ability.

Staff: