English Department

Leader: Mr Honeyford

COMPETITIONS PAGE

KS3 ENGLISH MASTER CLASS

KS4 ENGLISH MASTER CLASS

The English Department at The Eastbourne Academy performs in the top quartile of all schools nationally. What this means in practice is that whatever the ability of your child the significant likelihood is that they will achieve a GCSE grade comparable with the very best schools in the country. A number of students this year achieved an A grade at GCSE where their expected grade was lower.

In order to achieve this we believe strongly in three key elements:

• That we should put the enjoyment of learning at the centre of what we offer.
• That we should seek constantly to challenge students to want to do better and in turn challenge us as teachers to enable them to do so.
• That everything we do combines to enable students to become rounded, confident and skilful users of language.

One of the key – and often neglected – aspects of English that we seek to address is the need to integrate the kinds of language skills students require for other subjects: for example, our Spy Trail unit develops an understanding of everything from scientific language to the kinds of writing needed for subjects like Design Technology. In this way we encourage and enable students to transfer their language skills across subjects and thus perform even better in those as well.

Our recent purchase of class sets of iPads means we can also develop students in their use of digital technology in a focused and applied manner. We also recognise the need to enable students to be reflective learners and not simply passive recipients of what they are presented with. In this way we build the skills they will need to succeed in the modern world.

The department continually re-evaluates its delivery at Key Stage 3 and has developed a series of Schemes of Work that offer an integrated approach to learning English. These recognise the more sophisticated abilities of our students and challenge the more able to achieve well. They are also differentiated in order that students who may find access to the curriculum difficult are fully supported in developing their skills and abilities.

At Key Stage 4 students study for the iGCSE English and English Literature examinations, courses which are recognised as providing a challenging set of standards and which serve to stretch the abilities of all students. Their international dimension also offers our students view of the wider world and their place in it.

Our guarantee is simple: your child will enjoy English at The Eastbourne Academy whilst developing their language skills as well or better than they could anywhere else, whatever their ability and whatever their aptitude. At the end of their time with us they will be proud of reaching the highest levels open to them.