English
Churchill School English Intent
Our intent in teaching English is to provide a high-quality education that enables our students to become confident, articulate, and critical thinkers with excellent communication skills. We aim to foster a love for literature, language, and creative writing while developing their ability to analyze, interpret, and respond effectively to a range of texts. Our curriculum is designed to empower students to express themselves eloquently, both in the written and spoken form, and to become active and engaged participants in today’s society.
Implementation
To ensure an outstanding implementation of our English curriculum, we adopt the following best practices:
Reading
The importance of reading will be emphasized and encouraged in school – with support from families – as a key that opens the door for all learning. Across KS2, KS3 and KS4, students read a variety of texts, including novels, short stories, poetry, and short extracts. Texts are selected to expose students to a wide range of themes and cultures so that they can understand the world that we live in and the ‘human experience’. Students will develop their reading fluency and will have access to interventions to support them on their journey to becoming confident readers. Oracy plays a huge part in the English curriculum with a focus on the importance of developing the speaking and listening skills of all students. This will be embedded through rich discussion and independent thinking and sharing of ideas. Students will build good reading habits that will allow them to access the curriculum not only in English, but across all subjects.
Writing
Students will learn how to write in a range of styles for a range of audiences. Vocabulary acquisition and development begins in KS2 and continues as students progress through the school. Reading plays a vital role in the development of writing skills.
Balanced and Ambitious Curriculum
We have carefully designed a balanced and ambitious curriculum with the context of our learners at its heart. This ensures breadth and depth in the study of English whilst understanding and adapting to the context of our learners. It encompasses a wide range of literature, including classic and contemporary texts, poetry, and non-fiction. Our curriculum also covers the analysis and exploration of language structure, grammar, and linguistic features. At Churchill, students study for their GCSE English Language or Entry Level English where appropriate for the students progress and development. The curriculum incorporates GCSE English Literature texts and there is a pathway available for those that may wish to pursue the Literature GCSE.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Our teachers employ a variety of teaching and learning strategies to actively engage students in their learning. They use a blend of direct instruction, group work, individual tasks, and technology-enhanced activities to cater to different learning styles and abilities. We encourage students to participate in debates, discussions, and presentations to develop their oracy skills and build their confidence in expressing their ideas coherently.
We adopt an ‘I do, you do, we do’ approach in our lesson structure from class 1 through ‘til class 6 to ensure pedagogical continuity and routine for our students. This ensures that every student receives expert modelling, the opportunity to collaborate, and to develop independent working skills.
Reading is central to learning at Churchill School. We aim to ensure that all students become confident, fluent readers through regular expert reading modelling, exposure to a variety of rich texts, and appropriate interventions for students that need them.
High Expectations and Challenge
We have high expectations for all our students. Our lessons are carefully planned to stretch and stimulate students’ thinking, ensuring they make progress and reach their full potential. We make effective use of adaptation techniques to ensure we meet the needs of our students, enabling all to achieve their best outcomes.
Engaging and Relevant Resources
We provide a stimulating learning environment with a wide range of resources, including a well-stocked library, access to digital tools, and carefully chosen texts. These resources reflect the diverse nature of our world, promoting inclusivity and enhancing their cultural literacy. We also ensure that our resources reflect the latest developments in literature and language, fostering a passion for contemporary literature and language usage.
Enrichment Opportunities
To complement the curriculum, we offer a range of opportunities such as live author webinars and in school author visits. In Enrichment, students can attend creative writing/reading sessions as well as access our school library during scheduled lunchtimes every week. These activities broaden students’ exposure to literature, enhance their communication skills and provide opportunities for them to develop their talents and interests in English beyond the classroom.
Impact
Our outstanding implementation of the English curriculum has a transformative impact on our students. Through a carefully planned and delivered curriculum, we consistently achieve the following outcomes: GCSE English Language including the Spoken Language Endorsement or Entry Level English. This ensures that students can access further education on a pathway that is suitable to their individual needs.
Achievement and Progress
We consistently ensure that all students, regardless of their starting point, make progress in English. formal assessment. Reading progress is closely monitored through regular schoolwide testing followed by suitable intervention.
Confidence and Engagement
Through our teaching and rich learning experiences, students develop confidence in their reading, writing, and speaking abilities. They actively engage in classroom discussions, make meaningful contributions, and confidently express their thoughts and ideas. Our students become self-motivated, independent learners who take ownership of their progress.
Cultural Awareness and Inclusivity
Through our curriculum and resources, students develop a heightened cultural awareness and inclusivity. They appreciate different perspectives, experiences, and cultures represented in texts, enabling them to develop a respectful and tolerant understanding of the world around them. Our students value diversity and are equipped to navigate global challenges with empathy and open-mindedness.
In conclusion, our intent, implementation, and impact statement for English in Churchill School is designed to deliver an outstanding education that empowers students to become confident and skilled communicators. By adopting best practices, fostering a love for literature and language, and providing rich learning experiences, we continuously strive to develop the whole child and prepare them for success in their future endeavors.
Career inspiration through the study of English
In English, you are not only learning how to communicate in both written and verbal forms; you are also learning how to think critically about the world that we live in. These are powerful tools that can help you in a range of interesting career paths.
- Journalist
Magazine journalist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
- Editor
Editorial assistant job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Author/Writer
Writer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Public Relations
Public relations officer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Police
Police officer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Reporter
Newspaper journalist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
- Librarian
Public librarian job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Teacher
Secondary school teacher job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
Primary school teacher job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Archivist
Archivist job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Human Relations (HR)
Human resources officer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
- Social Worker
Social worker job profile | Prospects.ac.uk