Handsworth Grammar School
English
Our Aims
The English Department aims to build on students' developing language and its possibilities within a lively and supportive learning environment. We are concerned with fostering the desire to use language well as much as with the ability to do so. We want students to be active, critical readers, fluent and engaging writers, confident speakers and sensitive listeners.
Key Stage 3
At KS3, students experience a variety of reading texts from Philip Pullman's Northern Lights and Dickens' Great Expectations, from poetry to modern drama, from travel writing to film on DVD and video. They study a Shakespeare text - Richard III - for examination nationally at the end of the Key Stage and are prepared fully for the specific requirements of SATs exams in Reading and Writing.
Key Stage 4
The department prepares the vast majority of the students for entry to GCSE exams in both English and English Literature with AQA, Specification A. This comprises two written papers for English, covering comprehension, the study of poetry and writing for English and one written paper for English Literature that examines selected poetry and prose. There is, in addition to this, a coursework requirement of six substantial pieces of writing and three compulsory Speaking and Listening activities.
Key Stage 5
At Sixth Form level, the department offers three discrete AS/A2 courses: English Literature; English Language and Literature; Media Studies. All follow AQA specifications and all contain a coursework element at both AS and A2. These courses offer students different experiences and opportunities to follow their interests. In Literature there is a great deal of challenging reading and analytical writing; in English Language and Literature students read texts, write about how language has changed over time and have the chance to produce a piece of creative writing. The Media Studies course offers a wide variety of assignments and tasks related to TV, film, print journalism and more.
Other Information
The department also runs trips to the theatre in London and in Birmingham for all year groups, offers day courses and outside speakers on special interests such as Comics in collaboration with the Art Department, arranges conferences and lectures for A level students and special activities for the Gifted and Talented. We like to think that we offer challenging, interesting and worthwhile activities both in and outside the classroom.
