The English Department

The English Department is extremely ambitious for the pupils of Armthorpe and has striven to find innovative, challenging and engaging approaches to the delivery of the subject. It is a talented, thriving department whose success is well established at all levels but who continue to aspire to greater achievements for its pupils. At Key Stage 3 the National Literacy Strategy has been fully and successfully implemented and the department are involved in development work with the Local Authority with regard to assessment and tracking achievement. The strength of the department is reflected in the consistently good levels of achievement of pupils in the End of Key Stage Tests. The vast majority of pupils are entered for both English Language and English Literature at GCSE and again there is a high success rate with over 60% of pupils achieving an A* to C grade in one or both of these examinations. The department is involved in a project involving a National Sporting organisation, designed to raise boys achievement and they are constantly reviewing the work and opportunities at Key Stage 4 in order to maximise the success of the pupils. English is a very popular choice in the sixth form. Both English Language and English Literature are offered and again pupils achieve highly in these courses and a significant number of pupils leave the school to study English courses at Higher Education establishments. The department is well equipped and resourced. All the teaching rooms are fitted with interactive whiteboards and there is a wide range of audio visual and IT technology available in the department to support Teaching and Learning. An exciting development is the recording studio which will enable pupils to record their own work in a different way and provide an innovative approach to improving speaking and listening skills. Pupils at all levels are given the opportunity to take part in theatre visits, to work with visiting authors and poets and to be involved in a variety of out of school hours activities. The department is also a regular a valued contributor to whole school training events and thereby supporting the work of other departments.