Gaynes School Language College

Our vision is simple: to work collaboratively and positively towards student progression throughout both key stages.

From Year 7 to Year 11 students will experience a wide variety of English; including: prose, poetry, drama, Shakespeare and writing a variety of text-types for different audiences and purposes. Skills driven schemes of work ensure full and effective coverage of the National Curriculum. Lessons are varied, well-paced, engaging and challenging. Student-led collaborative learning is a key feature of the English classroom. Regular half-termly assessments of speaking and listening, reading and writing provide teachers with detailed information of progress and this is tracked and monitored carefully to ensure that students are working at least in line with their target grade. Students are taught to reflect on their own learning, to be able to recognise what level or grade they are working at and to set their own targets for improvement linked to assessment criteria.

Students are invited to attend an extra-curricular activity or trip in every year group. In Year 7 students visit The Queens Theatre to watch a traditional pantomime. In Year 8, they visit the Globe theatre and learn about Shakespearean theatre. This is built on in Year 9 when we are visited by a Shakespeare workshop drama group. In Years 10 and 11 students attend the GCSE 'Poetry live' day. There is also the opportunity for students to become involved in the production of the school magazine, 'Shine'.

To ensure that every child reaches their full potential there are a variety of initiatives in place to support those that need it. Literacy progress units are held before school to boost the attainment of weaker students. The school also delivers a 1-2-1 tuition programme for those that need support with an aspect of English. Coursework clinics and revision sessions are held regularly for GCSE students. We also run a 'buddy' system where a high achieving student will 'buddy' or mentor a student who is striving to achieve a C grade.

With each new year there are certain things that will forever remain constant: our dedication and commitment to the subject and to our students. It is clear that every child does matter.

Miss Springthorpe
Head of English Faculty