English at Arden is a core subject not only in name: it is the foundation of your child's success in most other areas of study. We have worked hard to create a balanced curriculum which not only covers course requirements but also exposes your child to a wide range of literary and writing experiences. Lessons are challenging, lively and, of course, enjoyable as we seek to develop a personal written style and a critical approach to reading. Students are always stretched to help them achieve their aspirations and those who need support are nurtured where necessary.

Students leave Arden with excellent communication skills that are explicitly taught during English lessons. There is a formal assessment of Speaking and Listening at GCSE but we integrate tasks into every scheme of work, from Year 7 upwards, to ensure that discussion, presentation and debate are a regular part of all areas of study. Students are encouraged to express ideas and formulate arguments, and the best lessons are often the ones where their talk dominates. Similarly, essay writing is another of our students' strengths: our record in formal examinations clearly exemplifies the ability of students to communicate their ideas on the page.

We aim to promote and encourage independent learning as part of English. As far as possible, students are helped to develop their own critical skills so that they can approach texts as active readers.