English & Literacy

FACULTY OF ENGLISH & ESOL

“The power of imagination makes us infinite” John Muir’s quote encapsulates the creativity, criticality and passion for language which makes English a key ‘facilitating’ subject across the curriculum. Skills in English support pupils to develop their abilities with language, argumentation and analysis desirable for any subject.

The staff in our Faculty of English, ESOL and Literacy are enthusiastic and passionate supporters of the value of literature and language to enrich empathy, understanding and wonder. We love teaching our subject and enjoy very high academic attainment as well as strongly positive relationships with pupils to ensure all young people feel valued and able to make progress in this essential subject.

English Staff

Ms Ailsa Stratton – Curriculum Leader
Tuesday-Friday

Ms Lesley Bloomer – Acting Curriculum Leader
Monday

Ms Jade Bellamy – Teacher   
Monday-Wednesday

Mr. Sean Campbell – Teacher 
Wednesday-Friday

Mrs. Sarah Fernie – Teacher
Wednesday and Thursday

Mr. Alan Freeman – Teacher
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

Ms Maegan Garland – Teacher,
Monday, Wednesday-Friday

Ms Melanie Henderson – Teacher

Mr. Lewis MacPherson – Teacher

Ms Carrie Tench – Teacher

Mr. Tom Williams – Teacher

Ms Rachael Yates – Teacher
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.

Ms Charlotte Baskerville – Probationer Teacher

S1 & S2 Summary

English covers the four modes of communication: reading, listening, writing, and talking, across a wide range of creative and critical contexts. English is essential for building literacy across the curriculum. Our pupils are in mixed-ability classes. In S1, all pupils follow a common course covering creative, persuasive and personal writing, reading critically and analysing fiction and non-fiction texts via reading comprehension and critical essay, and solo and group presentations. In S2, pupils consolidate and extend these skills over a different range of texts and genres as chosen by the class teacher. Personal reading is expected of all pupils and is supported by reading logs and fortnightly trips to the library for choosing suitable texts and completing learning in information skills and critical literacy. Pupils should bring a physical book for reading at the start of each lesson (S1-2).

All classes have a Team and associated Class Notebook for sharing resources and setting work. Although pupils have easy access to ICT to support learning, we follow current research evidence to encourage pupils to read physical books rather than a screen, and to hand-write rather than type.