English Department

The English department at Crosby High School:

•  teaches literacy and facilitates all subjects to integrate it into their teaching; 
•  focusses on the key skill of reading and comprehension; 
•  promotes self-confidence by use of spoken language and the experience of achieving;
•  provides a curriculum that covers all the strands of the subject following the new National Curriculum whilst ensuring the units of work deal with society's varied culture, literary heritage and skills for life; 
•  ensures all students feel valued and have a voice so they make good progress, regardless of their starting point or background; 
•  ensures our students are effective communicators.

 

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9) we have a range of schemes of work which make up the our engaging curriculum.  All units promote the learning of language and skills for accreditation, whilst addressing personal development, careers, Britishness etc. 

 

Our areas of study are:

 Year 7

•  Autobiography/biography
•  Fantastic Mr Fox
•  A Christmas Carol
•  The Twits
•  Skellig
•  The Joy of Poetry 
•  School Guide 
•  Out of this World
•  The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
•  Literacy Life Skills
•  Manfred the Baddie

 

Year 8

•  Silver
•  The Last Wild
•  The Iron Man
•  Kidnapped
•  Great Expectations
•  The Secret Garden
•  The Hound of the Baskervilles
•  Shakespeare’s Snippets
•  Romeo and Juliet
•  A Midsummer Night's Dream
•  William Wordsworth’s poetry

 

Year 9

•  The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 
•  Narrative writing 
•  The War of the Worlds
•  Chasing the Dark
•  Functional Skills
•  Macbeth
•  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
•  Of Mice and Me
•  Goodnight Mr Tom

 

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) all our students are entered for a qualification/s or certifications.  The range of qualifications are numerous to ensure all our students’ abilities are catered for. This flexibility promotes engagement and success.

 

Our accredited pathways include;

•  GCSE English Language (Eduqas) 
•  Functional Skills Level 1 (Open Awards) 
•  Functional Skills Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 (Open Awards)                                            
•  Asdan Short Course English

 

Years 10 and 11-

•  Dracula
•  Frankenstein
•  Blood Brothers
•  Our Day Out
•  Refugee Boy
•  Face
•  Agent 21
•  War Poetry 
•  The Forgotten Coat
•  Whispers in the Graveyard
•  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time.
•  A Tale of Two Cities
•  Titanic
•  The Merchant of Venice
•  Othello

 

 

Further Curriculum Information

As a department, we have a wide variety of schemes of work as our students' abilities vary  from year to year so it allows each teacher to make judgements on what scheme of work will best deliver progress.  We keep abreast of the latest DfE guidance on qualifications to take advantage of the changing provision. Families are sent an overview of each topic each term as part of our whole school curriculum map document.

 

Examinations and assessment

 Our students are continually assessed in English to celebrate success and measure progress. We assess through pupils’ written work, reading, writing  and spoken language contribution within the classroom.  

Our students receive regular feedback, written and orally, regarding successes and areas for improvement. This dialogue fosters a supportive relationship between students and teachers.

All pupils are assessed annually, using diagnostic assessments in reading and spelling in order to report reading progress and inform further challenge in their learning.

 

Homework

Homework is set once a week. The aim is to extend learning outside the classroom and to further develop the required skills of English. The focus of homework tasks are grammar, spellings, planning or independent research.

 

How can our parents/carers help?

Encourage your child to complete their homework each week; help them with their homework; see this extension of learning as a positive tool in improving your child’s literacy. 

 

Personal Development

Our schemes of work have been designed to promote the personal development of each student:

 Celebration of British Values; 

•  develop students' character by giving them a voice, through a wide variety of subject matter;
•  develop students' confidence, resilience and independence;
•  develop responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society;
•  to incorporate, in our teaching, how to keep mentally healthy;
•  showcase our country has a wide range of cultural influences which shape and enhance our lives;
•  use discussion to highlight different points of view;
•  develop skills to assist them for their first steps in further education and careers.  

 

Equal Opportunities

All children have an equal opportunity to improve their English skills whatever their ability. All staff at Crosby High School are dedicated to making the lives of our students better by equipping them for their future.