English

Our department is a forward thinking and highly regarded team both in school and across Lancashire. We are highly motivated and at the forefront of all new government initiatives; we pride ourselves on being a highly innovative and successful ‘outstanding’ department who are committed to delivering the syllabus through active learning.

The department has twelve dedicated teachers and a highly efficient and respected Subject Support Assistant (SSA) who helps to ensure that support, resources and administration is available to colleagues at all times. This helps the smooth running and improved effectiveness of the English team and our teaching.

As a department, which strives to encourage self-determination in our pupils, we create lessons which are engaging, challenging and yet provide opportunities for pupils to be independent and take responsibility for their own learning.  Our lessons are active and ensure that all learning styles are met during the teaching of required skills.

Facilities

As a technology college, every classroom has an interactive whiteboard and an English computer suite, equipped with 28 personal computers, supports our teaching. Media software such as video editing has been downloaded onto the machines, which are used weekly by all media classes.

We have a non-fiction and fiction library in school, where staff are encouraged to take their classes to promote independent research and learning and nurture the enthusiasm for reading; all KS3 students have reading focused lessons within English to ensure the ‘Assessment Focus’ objectives are routinely delivered.

A drama complex, equipped with a professional stage and lighting, provides facilities for delivering dynamic and innovative learning. This is regularly used to promote the importance of speaking and listening and communication skill throughout both Key Stages.

Well stocked with up to date text books, class readers, resources, media, DVDs and other equipment, the English Department constantly works to update and maintain resources to ensure student interest.