Our department’s approach to learning has at its core the belief that understanding English is the key to success in almost every facet of life. Our entire philosophy is built around the view that the study of literature exposes young people to a diverse and fascinating world in which they learn about society and history, but also that it also helps to exercise their imagination.  We ensure that our students become active rather than passive readers, providing them with the expertise to become more critical, analytical thinkers. As we also believe that it is essential that the subject teaches young people to become better communicators in both their writing and oral interaction, we develop not only the speaking skills of students but their ability to listen as well. Furthermore, the addition of film studies and media means that we are a department that enables students to be proficient in analysing both media and literary texts.

KS3 at Sedgehill:

Students start with us in Year 8 due to the fact that they do all of their Year 7 English in their Baccalaureate classes. KS3 therefore starts in September of Year 8 and ends in June of Year 9 when they start with their GCSE courses. Over the two years we provide students with a curriculum focused on preparing them for GCSE. Courses are broken up into units that cover a half a term. In each unit there are two assessments either a reading, writing or speaking and listening assessment. Each unit covers one of the full range of text types: poetry, Shakespeare, drama, books and media. Students do a unit on each of these in both years. At the end of year 9, teachers moderate student folders which will have essays and pieces of writing which are each given a level and together with the speaking and listening grades this will account for their end of year level.

KS4 at Sedgehill:
 

Our KS4 course starts at the end of Year 9, providing students with the ability to achieve the best grades they can in the subject. In September 2010 the school will begin the new GCSE specifications which, broken up into a number of separate units over the two years, covers area in both language and literature. While Year 10 will have the exciting opportunity to be the first year to tackle the new specification, Year 11 will be the final year to do the old. Furthermore, the department offers students the opportunity to do the optional but relevant and creative GCSE Media course from the start of Year 10. Media Studies, which includes a separate Film Studies component, is a popular subject at GCSE with several GCSE classes following the AQA syllabus each year.

KS5 at Sedgehill:

We are now completing the English literature and language course for Year 12 &13 and from next year will be beginning a new course, the AQA English Literature course, which we hope will inspire and excite our students, engaging them and creating a love for English literature. We also teach a very popular A -  Level media studies course using the Welsh board.

The English & Media Department 2012-2013:
 

• "Our aim is that every student will enjoy studying English no matter which year they are in, and that they will have been successful in the subject by the time they leave us."

  English Subject Leader - Matthew Simpson