English

Aim For The A Stars!

The greatest asset of the Academy’s English department is the determination and enthusiasm of a strong, experienced staff team, whose endless energy, dedication and commitment ensure that the message of the importance of English is reinforced throughout to ensure the drive of all pupils never diminishes and that each student gains the results they deserve.

Jacqui Hall leads the department supported by our Key Stage co-ordinator Amy Rudd. Together they ensure exceptional provision is in place for pupils of all ages and abilities to maximise everyone’s enjoyment and level of achievement. Our strategy is to create a framework of support, challenge and a sense of belonging for young people in which they can achieve their optimum in reading, writing and speaking and listening whatever their starting point or baseline.

We develop pupils’ notion of community and heritage whilst developing their literacy skills and this – combined with good teaching, a wide range of text types and innovative approaches to literature – has resulted in a rapid rise in standards and quality of work. The thematic approach to Key Stage 3 covers essential areas such as ‘Belonging’ and ‘Diversity’ whereas Key Stage 4 is taught under the headings of ‘English Today’, ‘The Writers’ Craft and ‘Spoken Language’ to ensure that all pupils are exposed to literature from the English Canon as well as non-fiction texts and related media.

We continue to strive for excellence with the goal of equipping all pupils with the necessary tools, insight, skills and confidence to follow their dreams and become part of the machinery that drives Middlesbrough forward in the future.