Our Curriculum

Perhaps the most striking feature of the English Department at WGGS is our commitment to mixed ability teaching at all Key Stages. All Lower school classes are taught in their form groups and these are then mixed together for GCSE study. At this stage another group is added so that class size can be kept down and we ensure that each new class still reflects the full range of abilities. This approach means that every girl can be inspired to reach the highest levels and year after year our results bear this out, being well above the national average at all Key Stages. The English staff are enthusiastic users of Thinking Skills, fostering independent learning and appealing to the individual learning styles.

Key Stage 3

Since September 2008, the KS3 curriculum has covered Year 7 and Year 8. We administer our own carefully devised internal examinations that are in line with national curriculum requirements at the end of each year. This two-year course covers a wide range of writing skills, both creative and functional, with an emphasis on creativity and experimentation. Reading texts are a mixture of classics such as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and modern novels such as the critically acclaimed Skellig by Robert Swindells, as well as non-fiction materials from newspapers, magazines and the Web. Both year groups study a Shakespeare play and Drama plays an integral part in the curriculum; skills of expression, improvisation and working with others are explored, and much learning is accomplished through discussion, debate and class presentation, all of which increase the students’ confidence and fluency.

Key Stage 4

Since September 2008 our GCSE has covered Years 9, 10 and 11. This provides the opportunity for our high fliers to explore challenging texts and concepts in increased depth while allowing time for less confident students to consolidate their knowledge. We follow the AQA A syllabus. All girls study two separate GCSEs: English [AQA A] and English Literature. The courses are a mixture of coursework and final examination, with an added oral component for English coursework.

Key Stage 5

Since September 2008, we have followed the new OCR syllabus for A level, with AS examination at the end of Year 12, and A2 examination at the end of Year 13. This is a traditional two-year course covering major poets, novelists and dramatists writing in English, ranging from 13th century Chaucer to such celebrated post-1990 authors as McEwan or Carter. September 2009 saw the introduction of Pre U English for those who prefer to follow an integrated two year course. This exciting new qualification has been welcomed by Russell group universities. It ranges widely throughout the canon of English Literature and offers the opportunity for the exceptional student to gain a grade even higher than the new A* grade at A level. Extra-curricular preparation lessons are offered to all girls who aspire to Oxbridge entry.


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