English
Curriculum Leader: Miss S McCracken - mccrackens@alkerdenacademy.co.uk
“English at Alkerden: creativity, communication and critical thinking in action.”
Intent
At Alkerden Academy, we understand that being confident and competent in reading, writing, speaking and listening is the key to success in many other areas. Our intent is to provide a rich and diverse education in all four areas, giving learners the opportunities to read and discuss challenging and thought-provoking texts, to write critically and imaginatively, and to confidently discuss ideas.
We aim to:
- build confidence in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and to develop an understanding of how all three skills are connected.
- develop creativity and imagination.
- cultivate cultural capital by exploring texts from a wide range of time periods, cultures and perspectives.
- enable learners to express themselves articulately and confidently, both in writing and verbally.
Implementation
Learners have seven English lessons a fortnight, following a carefully planned journey.
Implementation is enriched by:
- Regular opportunities to read for pleasure
- Access to the school library, where students can borrow a range of fiction and non-fiction books
- Independent projects which allow students to develop and showcase their creativity
Adaptations are made to ensure learners with additional needs are fully supported and can flourish in English.
Impact
The impact of English at Alkerden Academy will be seen in the enjoyment and confidence of our learners as readers, writers and communicators. By the time they leave, learners will:
- Have experience of a diverse range of texts, from different cultures, time periods and perspectives, and will be given regular opportunities to read texts outside their ‘comfort zone’.
- Have developed high levels of communication skills, across written and oral modes, and have been offered multiple opportunities to develop and test these skills.
- Develop skills that will be relevant beyond the classroom, from article and review writing, to formulating reports, to writing detailed, thesis-led analytical essays, to delivering thoughtful and engaging presentations.
Above all, English at Alkerden reflects our Alkerden Heart - nurturing learners’ creativity, developing communication skills, and supporting every individual to flourish.
English Learning Journey (KS3)
Our KS3 English learning journey is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge, skills, and creative independence. As with all areas of the curriculum at Alkerden Academy, it remains responsive to the needs of our learners and may be adapted over time to ensure every learner can thrive.
English Future Career Paths
Some examples of careers with an English degree include: Journalist, Copywriter, Teacher, Paralegal, Marketing Executive, Editor, Museum Curator, Freelance Writer, Librarian, Publisher, Web Editor, Author, Social Media Manager and PR manager. But this list isn’t exhaustive; there are numerous other careers in fields where strong communication and written English skills are top priorities. For example, within sectors such as media, advertising, law, retail and leisure.
There are also plenty of companies that recruit English Literature graduates. PR agencies such as Edelman and Brunswick and publishers like Penguin Random House and Harper Collins have a range of editorial, writing and content management roles.