English

As a department, our vision is to instil in each of our students a love of reading and writing, and to promote a genuine sense of intellectual curiosity.

By exploring a range of texts from different eras, genres and backgrounds, we aim to broaden students’ horizons and open minds: that is, to encourage an appreciation of different ideas, viewpoints and beliefs, as well as an understanding of the ways that language and structure can be used to create meaning and shape messages.

Our hope is that learners become confident readers, writers and speakers, with discussion and debate forming the heart of English lessons. Ultimately, we want students to discover the same passion for our subject – a love of reading, writing, and discussing ideas – that their teachers feel.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Careers Information

What might studying this subject lead to?

Studying English Literature is to study history, psychology and society as much as it is a study of language and authorial craft. It develops critical thinking skills and shapes learners into thoughtful, perceptive, analytical individuals, thus making them able to thrive in a number of careers. This, in addition to the obvious benefits to a student’s written communication, make English Literature an excellent, facilitating option for A-level.

There are a variety of careers for which English Literature can prepare students. Some of the most popular include, but are not limited to:

publishing
broadcasting
copywriting
marketing and PR
journalism
law
teaching
politics

Indeed, whilst several students who study English Literature at A-level go on to study the subject further at university, countless others find that it helps them to access degrees in subjects such as law, journalism and politics, so transferable are the skills gained.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/english-literature-jobs

https://www.english.ox.ac.uk/careers-for-english-graduates

And it is not just studying English Literature at A-level that prepares our students for future careers: studying English throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, especially English Language at GCSE level, provides students with knowledge and skills that are facilitatory. That is, what students learn in English at KS3 and KS4 – to be creative and imaginative; to express themselves in ambitious, original ways; to analyse texts; to explore writers’ viewpoints and intentions; to infer and interpret meaning; to skim, scan and summarise texts; to write well-structured essays – is integral to a wide range of other subjects and, ultimately, careers. Students who go on to study Law, Journalism, History, Politics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy will be required to demonstrate skills that they learned in English lessons, and the list of possible professions to which English, as a subject, might lead is almost limitless.

The Curriculum