English
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 always 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 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 of 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. This faculty is of paramount importance within the new GCSE courses where coursework is assessed in controlled conditions; we aim to prepare students so that facing an essay in these challenging restrictions is a positive experience. Our explicit grammar teaching, from Year 7 upwards, ensures that students are technically accurate with an appropriate written style.
We have an excellent examination record at GCSE and A Level and currently offer the following examinations:
Year 10 and Year 11
- Edexcel English Language
- Edexcel English Literature
Year 12 and Year 13
- OCR English Literature or Edexcel English Language and Literature
All pupils study English for five years at Arden. In KS3 and KS4 pupils have 7 lessons per fortnight. Homework is set in line with school policy and will encompass a range of tasks including reading, writing and learning key quotations (in KS4).
KS5 have 9 timetabled hours per fortnight and are expected to undertake at least a similar amount of independent work outside lessons.
"Creativity is a muscle, you have to use it every day."
Key Stage 3
Our Key Stage Three Curriculum is delivered to years 7, 8 and 9. All modules have been designed to enthuse, engage and embed essential skills needed for progress to Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
This section contains an outline of the English Language and Literature pathway for Year 10 and Year 11 students who will be following the Edexcel course.
Key Stage 5
Two English subjects are available at Key Stage 5: English Literature and English Language & Literature combined.
