Welcome to the English Department at The Sir James Henderson. Our department is made up of six full-time teachers,
who are responsible for the teaching of all English lessons through Key Stage Three to International Baccalaureate level.
Aims
The Department has a proud tradition of excellence in its GCSE and IB results. A dedicated and committed, highly motivated department aims to provide the best possible education in English for all of our students in all of their Key Stages through a rich and varied programme which embraces all aspects of English and English Literature.Course Content
Key Stage 3 EnglishAutobiography, Novel (‘Holes’), Media Assignment, Animal Poetry, Introduction to Shakespeare, Speaking and Listening assignments.
Pre-20th Century Poetry, Novel (‘Stone Cold’), ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Media, Speaking and Listening assessments.
Poetry of The First World War, Novel (‘Animal Farm’), ‘Macbeth’, Speaking and Listening exercises, GCSE preparation unit.
Key Stage 4 English
The current syllabuses in Language and Literature offer students the opportunity to study a range of language and literature texts, including media and the spoken word, and offer assessment through both examination and Controlled Assessment.
Specific details of each course can be found on the Edexcel website: English Language and Literature Syllabus
Key Stage 5 English- IB
The two courses offered are:
Language A: Literature
Language A: Language and Literature.
Both these courses are available at both Higher and Standard Level, and specific details of each course can be found on the IBO website.
Facilities and Resources
English is principally taught in classrooms equipped with Clever Boards which facilitate, when appropriate, technology-based interactive lessons. We have a range of DVD, internet and literary resources. The Department works closely with the Learning Resource Centre – particularly at Key Stage Three - and is currently enjoying the opportunities IB has brought to develop this relationship.The Department members are as follows:
| Coordinator of Secondary English, Key Stage 4 Coordinator, Pastoral | Jill Pickering |
| Coordinator for English at Key Stage 3 | Laoise McElligott |
| Teacher of English (Key Stage 3 Coordinator, Pastoral) | Dianne Braithwaite |
| Teacher of English (Year 10 Tutor) | Lorraine Coleman |
| Teacher of English (Year 12 Tutor) | Hetal Patel |
| Teacher of English, Philosophy and TOK | Jane Mortimore |