Our Vision

Explore, Empower, Experience — Your Voice Starts Here​

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The English Faculty is dedicated to nurturing a love of language, literature, and self-expression.

Through diverse texts and meaningful discussions, we encourage students to explore new perspectives and deepen their understanding of the world.​

We aim to empower every student to find and develop their own voice—writing with clarity, speaking with confidence, and thinking critically.​

By engaging creatively and analytically, students experience the power of language as a tool for expression, connection, and change.

English Curriculum Learning Journey

Each year students study the same 6 units – but each year the topics will be different allowing them to experience different voices, explore different styles and empower them to discuss different themes and ideas.​

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Yet, they will be able to bring through the knowledge they've gained previously to help them access these new styles and themes. ​

The 6 units are -​

• Legacy Fiction
• Modern Fiction
• Poetry
• Non-Fiction
• Drama
• Media

A love of reading is key to success; it builds knowledge, enhances vocabulary, sharpens critical thinking, and improves communication skills and so alongside our study, each year, students will read two ‘fast read’ books. These books will be chosen to run alongside a unit, being read as a class purely for pleasure, to further experience the joy of story-telling.

Building on knowledge from Key Stage 2, literacy skills are embedded in teaching across the Key Stage so that students can be as confident as possible with them as they begin their GCSEs. As well as regular teacher feedback, we encourage students to be self-reflective and to practise editing and improving their work.

Students are given half termly homework booklets that contain 3 tasks complementing the units being studied in the classroom. These tasks seek to offer opportunities for students to independently practice key literacy skills. To support this, there is a weekly English homework hub at lunchtimes for all to attend.

Our GCSE English course combines the study of both Language and Literature throughout Key Stage 4, enabling students to develop and refine essential skills in a meaningful and connected way. By integrating the two disciplines, students are given regular opportunities to practise key reading, writing, analysis, and communication skills across a wide range of texts and contexts.

After their two years of study students will gain two qualifications; English Language and English Literature. This is assessed by 100% examination with one level of entry.

In Year 10, there is a focus on fiction reading and writing and students will complete a genre stuides unit. When students learn how to recognise and use genres, they are building the background they need to cope with new and unfamiliar texts. Genre analysts look for the common patterns of grammar usage, key vocabulary, and narrative choices in particular text types while also combining language insights with corresponding socio-cognitive and cultural explanations. It aims at explaining language in use.

In Year 11, we shift to focus on non-fiction reading and writing. Through a range of topics and themes, alongside a range of multi-modal resources, students will explore the world around them and be encouraged to find their own voice.

Alongside this, students must undertake a prepared spoken presentation on a specific topic of their choice, agreed in advance with their teacher. All students will present their speeches to their class, and there is a short question time at the end. Being able to present is an important part of the English curriculum, as well as a life skill, and so this is an excellent opportunity for students to develop this skillset. 

As the exams are ‘closed text book’ students will have to write about the texts from memory having no book in the exam with them. To help students prepare for this challenging task, we strongly recommend they purchase their own copies of the texts. This will allow them to make personal notes directly into their copies and take full ownership of the exam preparation. The school will provide copies for in class study but these cannot be written in or taken home.

Alongside lessons, students will be set homework booklets that make use of past paper exam questions. These will guide their understanding and confidence in both the Language and Literature questions and exam techniques.

English is a fundamental subject as the skills involved ensure students are equipped with a proficient ability to communicate their ideas. Most Sixth Forms, Colleges and Apprenticeships will require a grade in one of the two English qualifications.

KS4 Reading list HERE.

Studying English at A Level develops analytical thinking, communication, and essay-writing skills. It deepens your understanding of literature, language, and culture, enhancing your ability to interpret complex texts. These skills are highly valued by universities and employers, supporting careers in law, journalism, teaching, and more. Our dedicated team brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse expertise, passionately inspiring students by sharing their insight and experience in every lesson. 

English is a popular and successful subject at post-16 study. Students have six 100 minute lessons per fortnight and are taught by two members of staff who divide the teaching of the course between them.

We are always looking at ways to engage and drive our A Level Students, therefore, we frequently offer trips to universities for lectures, theatre trips to see productions and conferences led by experts in their fields.

In addition to advanced levels of study, we offer an enhanced GCSE English Language course for students wishing to re-sit their English qualification in either November or June. 

For more information on each of our courses, please follow the links below -

Farlingaye High School - English Literature

Farlingaye High School - English Language

For more information on this course, please follow the link below -

Farlingaye High School - Film Studies