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English at St Catherine’s Catholic School
We are vibrant, lively and experienced team English specialists with excellent teaching skills, highly committed to working with the students to enable them to fulfil their potential and engage in learning that is fun, active and challenging.
There is an atmosphere of openness and sharing good practice is encouraged in both within the classroom and in meetings.
We are staffed by 8 full time specialist teachers led by a highly experienced subject leader and line manager who have a shared vision of leading the department within the school’s Media Arts specialism.
We are fortunate to have three English teachers who also specialise in the teaching of media studies.
Subject leaders for both English and Media are strongly committed to supporting, encouraging and challenging those in our teams to become self-reflective teachers who are confident to develop their practice and careers.
Resources
Each subject area has very well resourced learning environments with all teaching rooms fitted with interactive resources to enhance teaching and learning.
Recent new building facilities provide our teaching rooms for English in the Arts Block with a highly resourced media specialist room which includes a professional Radio station, in addition to specialist equipment and software such as digital cameras, MP3 recorders, Photoshop CS2, Premiere Editing and Pinnacle.
St Catherine’s has an excellent library managed by a full time librarian, and the students are keen to use all the library facilities both during and outside of normal lesson time.
English and Literature at Key Stage 3 & 4
English is taught in a way that is inspiring, creative and academic. Our students enjoy all aspects of English and the study of literature including Shakespeare is a strength. The GCSE syllabus followed is AQA Syllabus A for both English and Literature. All students are prepared for both GCSE examinations.
The English department has a strong tradition of developing speaking and listening skills through drama, debates, presentations and public speaking. Students actively participate in theatre workshops, library initiatives and support younger students in their reading challenge. Whenever appropriate, we work collaboratively with the Creative Curriculum and Media department.
| Jack Petchey’s ‘Speak Out’ Challenge |
Reading Challenge |
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Pupil Participation
Learning in lessons and Home Learning are matched with national curriculum levels and GCSE assessment criteria.
Key Stage 3 levels are displayed in teaching rooms and assessment criteria are explained to all students.
Students are encouraged to participate in peer assessments and to complete self evaluations commenting upon their own work in accordance with the assessment focuses and learning skills.
 
Results
Outstanding results have been maintained over several years in both English and Media.
At KS3 pupils consistently achieve 92% L5 and above.
2008 Year 11 results:
► English A*- C 82%
► English A*/A 21%
► 5A* - C including Eng & Maths 75%
► Literature A*- C 92%
► Literature A*/A 42%
Active Learning |
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| Studying Ballads |
Carnegie Competition |
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| 'Romeo and Juliet’ workshop |
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ |
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English and the Creative Curriculum
We are fully supportive of the school’s innovative creative curriculum for Year 7 pupils.
This happens in two extended sessions per week, in which pupils learn to work creatively, independently, reflectively, as teams, as self managers and learn skills for life understanding their Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning.
Pupils’ views:
‘What do we like about the Creative Curriculum?’
- Having fun
- Developing Skills
- Becoming more independent
- Working as a team
- Taking risks
- Using creative/imaginative learning
- Learning about what life will be like after school
- Taking responsibility for our own learning
English and the Media
Media Studies is also taught within English at key Stage 3, but as a subject at the heart of our Specialism, it is used across the Curriculum at both Key Stages to enhance learning and engage students.
There are many opportunities for students to become involved in Extra-Curricular activities related to both English and Media. For example, groups of students from all year groups will prepare and present the radio programmes that are put on air each morning.
The school is known as a centre of excellence for Media Arts practice and the English department works within the Community in partnership with our primary feeder schools to provide opportunities for young students to use our excellent resources for creative projects.
 
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