English

English Department Overview

The English Department at Riversides is led by two Subject Leads, Miss Amy Brooks in Primary, and Mr Matthew Gilani-Dowson in Secondary. The Primary phase prioritises the teaching of phonics, as well as a love for reading in order to improve both speed and fluency, so that we can work to close the gaps that our students often join us with. We share stories; read with and to adults; work to improve our writing and handwriting and have fun with language.

In the Transition Phase (year 7 and 8), students continue to be taught in the Primary model, with one main class teacher who delivers their lessons. This includes the teaching of fantastic novels, such as Stone Cold, Room 13 and Holes; as well as experiencing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The main aim is to consolidate students’ reading and writing skills so that they are ready to begin their GCSE journey in year 9.

Students have the opportunity to achieve three GCSEs within the English Department in Key Stage 4 – English Language, English Literature and Media Studies. They begin their study of this in year 9 with English Literature and, if appropriate, they are entered for this GCSE at the end of year 10, allowing them to achieve a qualification a year early. We have found that this is really beneficial for our students as it can support their applications for colleges and apprenticeships post 16 as well as reducing the number of exams that they sit in year 11. English Language and Media Studies are then examined in year 11.

In English Literature we study the following texts:

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

RL Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Orwell’s Animal Farm OR Dennis Kelly’s play, DNA

AQA Power and Conflict Poetry

Learning Mats for each of the texts can be found on the website.

If you would like any further information on the English Department, please feel free to email:

amy.brooks@riversidesschool.co.uk

matt.gilani-dowson@riversidesschool.co.uk