A Brief Introduction to the English Department

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."

Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

At Telford Priory School, we believe that all pupils, whatever their background, have a right to access the best that has been said and thought, and to have the cultural literacy required to be educationally and socially mobile.  In English, this includes studying a variety of writers and thinkers, from all parts of the world, from all ages.  The English curriculum ensures that pupils are knowledgeable enough about the world around them to transform it in the future. 

Therefore, we intend to: 

•  Give students access to texts that have stood the test of time.
• Give students access to texts from a diverse range of authors.
• Develop students’ cultural capital and knowledge and curiosity of the world.
• Develop students’ reading stamina.
• Develop students’ writing stamina.
• Develop students’ oracy skills through discussions, pair work, presentations and debates.
• Build students’ vocabulary through systematic instruction of tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary.
• Develop students’ ability to write with accuracy, precision, and clarity.
• Use student assessment to drive student progress.
• Give students opportunities to reflect on their own learning.
• Ensure knowledge is learnt through interleaving, spacing, and student use of revision strategies.
• Develop a set routine for home learning to allow students to take responsibility for their progress.
• Build on what has come before and prepare for what is yet to come through a clearly sequenced curriculum, a curriculum that builds on prior knowledge from primary school and prepares students for further study at KS5 and beyond.
• Celebrate excellence.  Students will take pride in their work and will take ownership of their learning.