ENGLISH

At Monkwearmouth Academy, we strive to inspire confidence, motivation and passion in our students. Students are encouraged to utilise their ability to understand and use language to contribute to society, to become more socially mobile and to empower themselves across a range of situations.

English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach students to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, students have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables students both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society.

The overarching aim for our English curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping students with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. Our curriculum for English aims to ensure that all students:

• read easily, fluently and with good understanding

• develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information

• acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language

• appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage

• write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences

• use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas

• are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate

In the English Department we strive to inspire our students to BELIEVE in themselves so that they may gain the confidence to ACHIEVE their potential and SUCCEED in all areas of their life within and beyond Monkwearmouth Academy.

CURRICULUM PLANS