English

The English department’s philosophy is to create and deliver a coherently planned and sequenced concept-driven curriculum, that enables all of our students to leave Baines with the confidence and resilience to effectively communicate both across school, in their future studies and the wider world beyond. Throughout Key Stage 3 and 4, students will be exposed to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts which will allow them to foster a love of the subject. We encourage our students to think critically and with independence, to appreciate the importance of values, both British and universal. In an ever-changing world, the importance of fluent written and spoken English and being immersed in texts from a diverse range of authors is crucial, and it is essential that we develop this through an effective English Curriculum.

The English Curriculum at Baines follows the National Curriculum, taking the core elements of poetry, prose and drama as the basis for the units of work. We expose our students to a variety of increasingly challenging texts from diverse cultures, and explore themes such as race, gender and marginalised voices, in particular in our unit ‘Powerful Voices’. We also celebrate literary heritage, and encourage an engagement with literary contexts such as the Victorian, Edwardian and Elizabethan era, and looking into possible futures with dystopian fiction. Our English team have a shared vision of making our English lessons enjoyable, inspiring and grounded in shared real-life experiences.

From Year 7, students at Baines are building on the foundations of the primary curriculum. They are actively encouraged to develop their close reading skills so that they can confidently and methodically break down and analyse meaning in texts, which include fiction and non-fiction by 19th, 20th and 21st Century writers. We aim to empower students by encouraging different writing styles and to craft their written work considering the use of the most effective vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. They will produce written work for a variety of purposes and audiences and be aware of the effect on the reader.

Opportunities have been created for students to debate and discuss their ideas through a range of group and individual presentations, as well as performing scripts, reading aloud and delivering speeches in Key Stage 4 as part of their GCSE English Language. We believe that exposure to a range of opportunities builds confidence and helps them to develop their verbal communication skills.

Key Stage 4 English at Baines prepares students for the rigours and the demands of both GCSE English Language (EDUQAS) and GCSE English Literature (AQA). We teach beyond the specification requirements to ensure that students are building on the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during Key Stage 3. The aim is to continue to broaden their knowledge of literary texts, particularly Shakespeare, and have a greater appreciation of poetry and themes using the AQA ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster, the pre-1900 novella ‘A Christmas Carol’, and study the play ‘An Inspector Calls’. Students are encouraged to share their opinions of the texts that they study and develop their critical thinking skills. Through their study of the English Language GCSE, students are encouraged to understand how language is used by writers to persuade, inform and advise by studying a breadth of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students are encouraged to proofread and edit work, craft their writing, be lively and creative and to challenge themselves linguistically. The English department runs a number of writing competitions throughout the year to foster a love of creative writing and to celebrate excellence.

The English team place an importance on extra-curricular activities and an extremely successful journalism club produces the well-received ‘Baines Buzz’. There are strong links with the school’s ILC (Independent Learning Centre), in which students access the library books available and use SPARX reader in Year 7 and 8. Theatre trips, such as experiencing ‘An Inspector Calls’, bring texts to life for the students. Visiting authors such as Tom Palmer, and local poet and inspirational speaker Nathan Parker, allow our students to engage with, and learn from, professional writers. We continue to strengthen our links with local sixth forms and colleges and organise mastery sessions providing students with an insight into English at Key Stage 5.