English
Teachers:
Mrs R Dutton (Associate Director)
Mrs K Brown
Mrs J Walton
Miss E Foster
Mrs J Williams
Mr R Lea
Miss A Amici
Mrs C Townsend
Mr A Silk
Mrs C Blackman
Mrs J Parker
The English Department are proud to offer a vibrant and creative curriculum to our students. We embrace a multi-modal approach to our subject, incorporating drama, film, production, theatre and technology to enhance the students’ learning and progression in the three disciplines of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Underpinning the work within the department is the belief that English is vital for all forms of communication and is fundamental to learning in all curriculum areas and the wider world.
At Key Stage 3 students study a variety of non-fiction and fiction texts including newspapers and magazine articles, reviews, biographies, speeches, travel writing, blogs, web pages and poetry, prose and drama from literary tradition, different cultures and contemporary writers. They have an opportunity to express themselves within a broad spectrum of written genre. The students are formally assessed termly and their work is evidenced in an individual profile, to ensure each student is making appropriate progress.
At Key Stage 4 students follow a one year English Language GCSE accredited by the WJEC examination board. This course includes the assessment of Reading and Writing coursework (20% of final grade) and Speaking and Listening coursework (20% of the final grade) and two terminal examinations (60% of the final grade). In Year 11, we offer students two paths: a second opportunity to follow the English Language course to improve their grade, and for those students who have achieved a grade C in English Language the opportunity to gain English Literature GCSE (40% coursework and 60% terminal examination).
Useful Website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/english.shtml
At KS5 we offer English Literature AS and A2 level qualifications, as accredited by OCR.
Latest News
Written on 20 May 2013, 11.48
Romeo and Juliet
As part of their Speaking and Listening work some of the Year 9 students had to pick an Act and Scene and perform Speaking and...Written on 19 March 2013, 11.53
WORLD LITERACY DAY CELEBRATIONS
Star pupils, Antonia and Luke, shone brighter that the rest last Tuesday when they came first and second in the World...Written on 04 March 2013, 12.51
The Great Book Swap
On Wednesday 13th February Astor College launched its first ever Great Book Swap. Pupils were invited to bring in books that they...Written on 01 March 2013, 14.47
World Book Day 7th March 2013
Please CLICK HERE to find details of World Book Day 2013.Written on 13 February 2013, 10.44
Peer Enhancement
The following images highlight some of the peer enhancement work in the English Department.
Once a week the students from the Sixth...Written on 13 February 2013, 10.25
‘Work for My Wall’
This is a chance for students who have the creative edge to make work for display on the English Board and/or in Room...Written on 12 February 2013, 09.51
English Wikispaces Resource
GCSE English Literature revision packs are available on the following Wikispace...Written on 04 February 2013, 15.05
Great Book Swap Event - February 13th - Lunch time in the Reading Gallery.
You are invited to bring in any of your old books from home and swap them...Written on 04 February 2013, 00.00
Astor College Creative Writing Club
Details of this club organised by Mr.Silk can be found here:
Creative Writing Club FlyerWritten on 11 January 2013, 08.44
Alex Scarrow Visits Astor
The author of the Time Riders series of books, Alex Scarrow, visited Year 8 students recently. The visit was reported by the...Written on 23 October 2012, 11.11
Creative Writing Competition
The English Department are organising a Creative Writing Competition.
More details can be found by by clicking... Written on 05 October 2011, 00.00
Year 8 Meet Children's author Ian MacDonald
In October Ian MacDonald worked with our Year 8 students. He talked to them about his writing and shared some...Written on 18 July 2011, 10.40
English Literature 6th Form Trip to ‘The Globe Theatre’.
On Tuesday 12th July, an excited group of 6th form English Literature and Drama students...
