St Joseph's R.C. High School
& Sports College

St Joseph's RC High School

St Joseph's RC High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
and young people and, expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.” Romans 15:4

The English Department aims to fully equip students for life in the 21st Century. We provide students with a broad and balanced curriculum. This showcases the world’s best literature, adding to the students’ cultural capital and promoting a love of reading. Students also learn how to process vast amounts of information, often from conflicting sources, so they can successfully navigate through the world. Students are challenged and supported to achieve the best possible outcomes in their GCSEs.

Studies in English are extremely important because the essential skills learned in our subject not only underpin work in most other areas of the school curriculum, but will also continue to be important throughout life. Learning and teaching in English aims to prepare students for lifelong learning and success in the world of work. Essential skills are developed across a 5-year curriculum to enable all students to flourish in to high-achieving individuals who can face the challenges of the evolving workplace of the 21st Century. Students are provided with opportunities to undertake independent studies and communicate in a range of mediums to showcase their resilience and adaptability.

English also develops a sense of curiosity and excitement with the world of reading. It builds and sharpens critical thinking skills; refines students’ understanding and appreciation for diverse reading experiences; as well as shows students how reading can improve mental health, unleash creativity and be a source of comfort in our lives. English stretches our creative talents as imaginative writers developing a confident grasp of language and technique. Students are encouraged to apply their understanding of linguistic crafting to their own writing to demonstrate they too can be masters of language.

Please use the link below for the English Department Curriculum Guide

Departmental Curriculum Handbook – English

Word of the week:

Week commencing 30th November 2020: Ululation

Week commencing 7th December 2020: Confound

Week commencing 14th December 2020: Yuletide 

Week commencing 4th January 2021: Peruse

Week commencing 11th January 2021: Enlighten

Week commencing 18th January 2021: Elongate

Week commencing 25th January 2021: Capricious

Week commencing 1st February 2021: Disparity

Week commencing 8th February 2021: Ambivalent

Week commencing 22nd February 2021 Picturesque

Week commencing 1st March 2021 Balderdash

Week commencing 8th March 2021 Abhor

Week commencing 15th March 2021 Cajole

Week commencing 22nd March 2021 Indolent

Week commencing 29th March 2021 Penultimate

Week commencing 26th April 2021 Perposterous

Week commencing 3rd May 2021 Wearisome

Week Commencing 10th May 2021 Significant

Week Commencing 17th May 2021 Exemplary

Week Commencing 24th May 2021 Exuberant

Week Commencing 7th June 2021 Cantankerous

Week Commencing 14th June 2021 Plaintive

Week Commencing 21st June 2021 Placate

Week Commencing 28the June 2021 Trepidation

Week Commencing 5th July 2021 Perspective

Week Commencing 12th July 2021 Innovation

Week Commencing 19th July 2021 Infrastucture 

Week Commencing 13th September 2021 Inter

Week Commencing 20th September 2021 Chrono

Week Commencing 27th September 2021 Port

Week Commencing 4th October 2021 Corp

Week Commencing 11th October 2021 Mal

Week Commencing 18th October 2021 Struct

Week Commencing 2nd November 2021 Act

Week Commencing 8th November 2021 Hydro-hydra

Week Commencing  22nd November 2021 Dict

Week Commencing 29th November 2021 Capio

Week Commencing 6th December 2021 Prime

Week Commencing 13th December 2021 Rota

Week Commencing 10th January 2022 Employ

Week Commencing 17th January 2022 Lev

Week Commencing 24th January  2022 Path

Week Commencing 31st January 2022 Phon

Week Commencing 7th February 2022 Capit

Week Commencing 21st February 2022 Ora

Week Commencing 28th February 2022 Dens

Week Commencing 7th March 2022 Gast

Week Commencing 14th March 2022 voc

Week Commencing 21st March 2022 graph

Week Commencing  28th March 2022 form

Week Commencing 18th April 2022 norm

Week Commencing 25th April 2022 Techn

Week Commencing 2nd May 2022 Tempo

Week Commencing 9th May 2022 Mortal

Week Commencing 16th May 2022 Morph

Week Commencing 23th May 2022 Funct

Week Commencing 6th June 2022 Gram

Week Commencing 13th June 2022 Astro

Week Commencing 20th June 2022 Metre

Week Commencing 4th July 2022 Bio

Week Commencing 11th July 2022 Ambi

Week Commencing 18th July 2022 Dem

Prefix of the week:

Week Commencing 12.9.22 A-An

Week Commencing 19.9.22 Anti

Week Commencing 26.9.22 Ante

Week Commencing 03.10.22 Auto

Week Commencing 17.10.22 Bio

Week Commencing 07.11.22 Co

Week Commencing 14.11.22 Contra-contro

Week Commencing 21.11.22 De

Week Commencing 12.12.22 Du

Week Commencing 09.01.23 Ex

Week Commencing 06.03.23 in

SMSC in English:

Learning in English provides a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the many conflicting issues evident in society in a safe and nurturing environment. English teaching promotes the importance of mutual respect and empathy so students can understand how and why conflicts arise, learning how to respect the differing views of others, empathising with perspectives and situations different to their own. Students are encouraged to explore philosophical ideas and are challenged to explore all avenues to widen their understanding of the diverse world around them. Teaching aims to remove the stigma surrounding the discussion of sometimes controversial topics allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. From mental health issues to racial injustice, hypocrisy and corruption to gender discrimination, students’ moral development is an integral part of their English studies to ensure they not understand the big ideas presented in the texts they study, but so they are also equipped with the necessary moral skills for life in the ever-evolving wider world.

 

English and Extra-curricular activities:

Our dedicated team of staff also offer weekly enrichment sessions during period 6 as well as other activities, trips, and visits as they arise from external providers. Enrichment activities are often changed year upon year according to interest and demand.

Current extra-curricular activities on offer include:

  • Cakes and Classics
  • Literature Lovers Club
  • Big Book Quiz
  • Creative Writing Club
  • Journalism Club/School Newspaper
  • Lunch/after school GCSE Revision sessions

 

Our English Team:

Mrs C Wood – Head of English

Miss C Malone – Assistant Head of English

Mrs E Weall – Teacher of English/Head of Year 7

Miss L Durkin – Teacher of English/ Transition Coordinator

Mrs H Howe – Teacher of English/ Whole School Literacy Lead

Mr R Minns – Teacher of English

Miss N Clarke – Teacher of English

Miss B Morton – Teacher of English

Miss L Cross – Teacher of English

Links

English Curriculum Map

Y7 +Y8 LTP

Y9 Y10 +Y11 LTP