The English department strives to ensure that all students develop a love of language and literature, whilst also developing their proficiency in reading, writing and communication skills.
The limits of my language are the limits of my world.
LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Creative Writing club - Wednesday after school
Film club - Wednesdays after school
Luncheons and Dragons (board games) - Thursday lunch times
Why study this subject?
Topics of study and assignments
In Year 7 you will learn a variety of fiction and non-fiction text to understand genre and writing for different audiences. You will learn the craft of writing and how to write detailed responses to questions about texts.
In Year 8 you will gain an increased understanding of audience and purpose and explore how language can be adapted in order to achieve intended effects with your own writing. You will study modern and heritage literature in order to gain the analytical and evaluative skills that will be required for GCSE.
From Year 9 onwards you will read challenging GCSE style texts and develop your analytical and evaluative skills in order to develop an opinion on the characters and themes. You will read poetry, study Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', complete creative writing tasks, compare a range of texts from different centuries and develop your writing skills. Spoken language is also a key element of the English Language GCSE and will require you to give a short presentation on a topic of your choice to a small audience.
The Team
Dawn Gillam is an Associate Assistant Headteacher and Head of Department for English. She has a BA Hons in Key Stage 2 and 3 Education and English with Qualified Teacher Status and a personal interest in providing students with a love of literature.
David Fouracre is the Head of Media Studies and an English teacher. He has a BA Combined Hons, PGCE and is particularly interested in the influence of media texts, intercultural communication and individual learning styles.
Shelley Baker, BA Hons QTS, MA, is the Headteacher. She is interested in personalised learning, partnerships between schools and families and governance in schools.
Elise James, BA Hons, PGCE, MA, is an Assistant Headteacher with a focus on interventions in the classroom. She enjoys building resilience and developing a growth mindset in all learners.
James Rayment, BA Hons, PGCE, is an English teacher and Key Stage 4 Lead with an enthusiasm for poetry and educational research.
Sarah Wenn, BA Hons, MA, PGCE QTS, is an English teacher and Key Stage 3 Lead.
Miracle Weir, BA Hons, Advanced GCE, is an English teacher. She is passionate about diversifying the curriculum.
Nicole Hayes, BA Hons, is an English teacher.
Kieran O'Sullivan, BA Hons, is an English teacher.
Isobel McCall, BA Hons, PGCE, is a teacher of English with a personal interest in historical fiction.
Alicia Sharp, BA Hons, PGCE, is an Early Career Teacher (ECT) in English. She is passionate about encouraging creativity and self expression.
Benjamin Whiteside, BA Hons in English and Philosophy, Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, PGCE, is an ECT in English. He is passionate about exploring big ideas and challenging concepts with students through the study of literature.
Nikki Baird, BA Hons, PGCE, is an English teacher. Nikki has a passion for creative writing, gothic literature and educational research.
Livvie Gilpin is a School Direct Apprentice teacher. She enjoys supporting students in their learing.
Tatiana Khalfa, BA Hons, is an English teacher
Lipi Sanyal, BA Hons, MA, GTP, is also interested in developing strategies for EAL students as well as developing literacy in English in Key Stage 3 and 4.
Elaine Kiely, is the Faculty Departmental Assistant.
Events and Activities
Contact
Email: dawngillam@varndean.co.uk
Twitter: @VarndeanBooks
Brilliant CPD session with @PieCorbett in conjunction with @brightdome on T4W today! #collaboration #bodypercussion @BeatGoesOnUK
Fantastic presentations by T&L team on literacy and vocab strategies this past two weeks @VarndeanScience @MrsCox_DC #luckyschoolstaff
Kicking off INSET with our 'Bring and Brag' breakfast....spot those with the 'sharing is caring' chocs for those T&L tips being implemented tomorrow! #challenge #pride #teamwork @VarndeanSchool https://t.co/ysyNCBiOA3
Yr 11 trying out their note taking tips from Session 1 in an Inspector Calls lecture @VarndeanSchool #LEDday #TeamEnglish Top tips for all! @MrsCox_DC @OntheQTS https://t.co/5kY7t0Db13
Had an uplifting FGB meeting tonight @BrackenburyPri ALL staff have worked SO hard to redesign the school and it has made such a difference to the already generous learning environment. The community is so lucky to have such an amazing school on their doorstep. #brackenburybest https://t.co/HBxQHgUOnp