The department is based in four rooms, B2, B3, B4, G5. The department is well resourced with a range of texts in each classroom. The stock is based in B4. Extensive use is made of the Library to foster independent reading – especially in KS3. We also make use of the excellent ICT facilities in the department and ICT rooms. Each classroom is also equipped with an interactive “smartboard” and PC.

The objectives of the department are :

-	To build communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening
-	To foster a love of language and literature

English is delivered by four full-time and one part-time teacher of English. The department achieved excellent Key Stage 3 and GCSE results in 2003: 72% achieved Level 5 or above (68% was the LEA average); 52% A*-C in English (1% above the LEA average). In 2004, there was a slight reduction: all English SATs papers were re-marked, giving 67% at Level 5 or above. The department attained its highest Sats results (and the best in the LA) in 2005, with 90% Level 5+. This placed us in the top 2% of schools nationally.

At GCSE, 42% of students achieved C or above in 2004. AQA Specification A was followed at GCSE with Year 11 and WJEC Specification A with Year 10. This produced record results: 60% A*-C in 2006.

The department is well stocked with a range of literary and non-fiction texts for each year. At Key Stage 3, Assessing Pupils’ Progress has been introduced, firming up teacher assessments and allowing pupils to cover the four writing triplets and a range of reading.

A feature of English is the commitment to enrichment activities, beyond the classroom. 30 GCSE students took part in a Venice study holiday in 2006, as study of “The Merchant of Venice”; 40 went for a week to Lake Garda during Easter 2007, focusing on Verona and Juliet’s balcony.

Staffing in English is now stable, following a period of instability four years ago. The Co-ordinator (Mr Walton) was internally promoted in April 2003; Mrs Brumby, Miss Young and Mrs Price are all established and successful English teachers.