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A warm welcome to the English
Department. Here at the Link, the English Curriculum fosters in
every pupil the skills to communicate with his or her family,
friends, environment and the wider community. Every pupil is
encouraged to acquire the skills of speaking with confidence in
a wide variety of circumstances, to write clearly and
effectively in a variety of forms and to read with interest,
enjoyment and increasing knowledge. Pupils follow a
differentiated National Curriculum. They follow individual
programmes of study which are related to their statemented needs
and individual learning programmes. Pupils are encouraged to
gain the literacy skills for everyday living as well as
preparation for the range of exams and awards offered to the
pupils. They are encouraged to develop their language skills to
the best of their ability. There is a high expectation put on
every pupil to achieve their very best and to want to develop
degrees of independent study. Close support of every pupil helps
identify what represents excellence for a particular pupil and
every assistance is given to encourage each pupil to achieve his
or her level of excellence.
English is taught with a view to
everyday literacy skills as well as exam orientated. Teaching is
inclusive, innovative, stimulating and of excellent quality.
Teachers provide a varied stimulating curriculum so that all can
enjoy their studies, learn and achieve. Every pupil has the
curriculum accessed through individual differentiation.
Ofsted,
'There are strong relationships, which support learning well,
and there is often a sense of fun in lessons that adds to the
excellent atmosphere, for example in an English lesson about Dr.
Frankenstein and the creature he created. The pupils are
committed to their work, enjoy learning and have positive
attitudes to school.'
Pupils acquire the skills to
discuss their ideas and views, present their ideas with though
and reflection and ask questions to support better
understanding. Pupils acquire the skills to read different texts
and read for reading and message. They learn to select
information, fact, opinion and creativity, to build on their
vocabulary and to explore their reading. Pupils are encouraged
to write in clear text, simply and correctly punctuated and to
review their work. They learn to write formally and creatively.
Careful planning is an integral part of writing and employs
strategies as semantic link sheets, spider grams and the ideas
of mind mapping developed by Tony Buzan. Spelling programmes are
differentiated and are closely supported by the Speech and
Language Department.
Ofsted
Particularly noteworthy is the progress they make in spelling
and language, which is due to the close working of teachers and
speech and language therapists. Reading skills also develop
well,
The teaching of English is
multi-sensory and employs a range of strategies to differentiate
the curriculum. These include close adult support, individual,
small group and class activities, Paget Gorman Signed Speech,
Rinaldi’s Language Choices, the THRASS phonics scheme and Widget
symbol writing. Excellent use is made of ICT programmes for
interactive learning, individual learning programmes and the
presentation of work. Audio and video equipment enhances
learning. The White Board activities encourage group
interaction and individual contributions.
Weekly meetings are held between
the English Specialist, class teachers and the Speech and
language therapists to plan the teaching of literacy and the
realisation of pupils’ individual education plans. Ofsted
commented that the integral planning of English is a great
strength at the Link.
‘The planning of English in
coordination with the speech and language therapists is
exemplary’
Ofsted report, Oct
2005,
Pupils are encouraged to explore
language and literature. Studies are made of well known
authors, Shakespeare, novels, poets and playwrites. Regular
visits are made to the theatre. Visiting poets come into school
to enrich our learning.
Each class has six English lessons
per week : 4 taught by the class teacher and 2 by the English
co-ordinator. Curriculum organisation is individual, in response
to each pupil’s I.E.P., level of ability and attainment. The
classes are mixed ability and in some cases groups may work
together on a topic, but not necessarily to the same levels of
understanding or assessment. 1:1 teaching may be more or less
evident ( by the class teacher or attached LSA ) in response to
need and individual progress.
Every pupil begins the day with
the START programme (Spelling Time and Reading Time) designed to
concentrate on literacy skills to be employed across the
curriculum. The programme has a staff to pupil ratio of 1-3 and
offers excellent individual tuition.
Pupils take a range of
examinations, accreditations and award schemes according to
ability and interest. These include AQA English GCSE (Syllabus
B), Edexcel Entry Level, ASDAN Handling Information and
Expressive Arts and the English Speaking Board Communication
Exams.
Literacy skills are important
across the curriculum and the English Department supports good
application of these skills in all subjects. The English
Co-coordinator advises on resources, teaching strategies and
ideas for differentiation.
‘The
curriculum is very good in all respects and is exemplary in the
way in which literacy and speech and language therapy are
interwoven into the everyday teaching provided by the school.’
Ofsted
Staff, pupils, parents and peers
are all important to the learning and development of us all here
at the Link. On many occasions I have realised that I have
learnt from a pupil and improved my own understanding as a
teacher. As in all education the English department is
dedicated to meeting the individual needs of all pupils across
the full ability range. The Link School delivers a
‘differentiated and supported curriculum which has high
expectations, encourages active learning, delivers academic
success and builds self worth.’ This is true in English and
communication skills |
