English

Director of Communication and Literacy: Miss M Hobbs

Head of Department: Miss R Spencer

Department Introduction

“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who, with their soul, encourages another person to be brave and true.” - Charles Dickens

English at Herne Bay High focuses on stimulating, training and encouraging students to improve their written and spoken communication in all areas of the curriculum. Good communication skills are vital in our communities, families and later needed in industry, and our desire is to ensure that all students are taught how to communicate with each other and that we equip them with words that empower them to be brave and true.

There are thirteen specialist English teachers in the department, trained to teach across all key stages. We work in close collaboration with the three members of the Learning Resource Team, and there are multiple opportunities for student volunteers to gain new skills, either by mentoring younger students or by working as a library monitor at lunchtimes. In addition, we are in close proximity to the lecture theatre which seats 90 and can be used as a large learning space, or theatre. The IT suite is also located at the end of the English corridor, giving our timetable convenient access to online curriculums. This plethora of resources enhances students’ all-round learning experiences and encourage independent learning.

Courses

OCR GCSE Language: Students in year 10 and 11 follow the GCSE English Language syllabus. This course is examined through two exam papers, each worth 50%. Each exam paper has a reading section and a writing section, which are equally weighted.

Click here for exam board information on GCSE English / English Language

OCR GCSE English Literature: Students in year 10 and 11 follow the GCSE English Literature syllabus. This course is examined through two exam papers, each worth 50%. Each exam paper is further subdivided into a section A and Section B.

The texts studied for GCSE Literature are:

Paper 1 – An Inspector Calls, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Paper 2 – Relationships poetry and Romeo and Juliet.

Click here for exam board information on GCSE English Literature

OCR AS and A-Level English Literature: Whether students choose to study the AS or the A-Level Course, they will generally study the same texts (see below). The AS course is wholly assessed through terminal exams, whereas the A-Level is assessed through both terminal exam (80%) and coursework (20%).

Texts Studied:

Twelfth Night

The poetry of Christina Rossetti

A Streetcar Named Desire (AS only)

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

Dracula (A-Level only)

A Doll’s House (A-Level only)

Click here for exam board information on AS & A-Level English Literature

OCR AS and A-Level English Language and Literature: Whether students choose to study the AS or the A-Level Course, they will generally study the same texts (see below). The AS course is wholly assessed through terminal exams, whereas the A-Level is assessed through both terminal exam (80%) and coursework (20%).

Texts Studied:

Anthology of Non-Fiction Texts

The poetry of Carol Ann Duffy

The Great Gatsby

A Streetcar Named Desire (A-Level only)

Click here for exam board information on AS & A-Level English Language and Literature

Enrichment
  • Booked Buzz! Year 7 – Autumn Term
  • National Poetry Day during our Poetry Week - Whole school – October
  • Reading Passports – Launches during September for Y7 and Y8 – continues all year
  • National Story Telling Week – KS3 - January
  • World Book Day – During our reading festival – March
  • Carnegie Shadowing – All year groups welcome – April – May
  • Literacy Support Mentors – student mentors working with other students, all year groups
  • Student Journalists working with Herne Bay Times, publishing school news
  • Spelling Bee – Year 7 and 8 – Spring and Summer terms