English 

Curriculum rationale

Books crow-bar open the world for you

- Katherine Rundell, ‘Rooftoppers’ (2013)

In English, we inspire students through exploring a broad range of exciting texts to understand their content, intent and the writers’ choices, and through developing as ambitious readers, skilful writers and passionate orators.  We empower students to value their own ideas, respect all voices, develop agency, and communicate with impact.

Our ambition is to deliver an inspiring and empowering English curriculum that exposes our students to the incredible breadth of literature in all its forms. By studying texts that open windows onto different time periods from across the globe, we develop our students’ intellectual curiosity and analytical skills, enabling them to become confident, critical readers.  We embrace challenge, growing our students’ resilience with reading by building their vocabulary and active reading skills.  We foster a life-long love of reading for pleasure, supporting students to read widely and share their recommendations with us and each other.  Simultaneously, we teach students how to respond to the texts and ideas they encounter, using both the written and the spoken word.  We develop their confidence at manipulating the techniques they have explored in their reading in their own writing, supporting them to carefully craft language for different audiences and purposes - creative, transactional and academic. 

Curriculum Features

At Key Stage 3, we immerse students in our rich literary heritage, honing their reading, writing, and oracy skills.  Exploring ambitious and diverse texts ranging from Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’ and Shakespeare, to 21^st century dystopian fiction, British Poets Laureate, and ‘Powerful Voices’, we build students’ understanding of how writers craft texts to explore a concept about the world: we teach them how to analyse this and respond to it in their own written work. 

At Key Stage 4, we embark upon GCSEs in English Language and Literature.  In Literature, students utilise the skills built at KS3 to explore a range of texts – a modern drama or novel, 19^th century prose, Shakespeare and poetry - developing their ability to articulate an argument about the writer’s purpose.  In Language, we refine students’ confidence at exploring and analysing unseen fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as using this as inspiration for their own creative and transactional writing.   

Throughout their five years at Orchard, our curriculum prepares students for success at Key Stage 4 and for the wider world. 

English - Journey on a Page

Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation is a subject that can be selected for GCSE. Although it is about the study of ancient cultures, it is much broader than ancient history: it is a rich and deeply rewarding subject that also encompasses many of the most fascinating aspects of English literature, religious studies, philosophy, geography, art, and even languages. Students start their journey of discovery more than 3500 years ago with an exploration of the Mycenaean culture, including an examination of its relationship with one of the foundational texts of European Literature, Homer's Odyssey; this is followed by an investigation into the myths and religious beliefs of the later Greek and Roman civilisations, focusing on how these ideas established and shaped their societies. By the end of the course, students will have gained an appreciation not just of the power of the ancient world to astound and humble us, but also of how it continues to influence our own world.

Staff Profiles

• Ms Laura Clash, BA (Hons), MSt, PGCE -  Head of Faculty

I graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class degree in English Language and Literature, and a Masters in Medieval English Literature.  I’m particularly interested in the representation of gender politics and identity in literature, as well as how writers grapple with the socio-historical context in their texts.  I am passionate about developing an ambitious, diverse and inspirational curriculum that enables students to become confident and creative readers and writers.

• Ms Elsa Harriskine, BSc (Hons), PGCE - Second in Faculty (job share)

I graduated from the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 degree in Psychology and went on to complete my teacher training through the Teach First programme. I achieved my National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership in 2018 and I am a GCSE examiner for English Literature. I have been involved in the shortlisting and judging for the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) young adult fiction prize and am passionate about sharing a love of reading with our students.

• Ms Sophie Alderson, BA (Hons), MA, PGCE - Assistant Headteacher

I studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield, including the study of theatre studies. I developed my passion for performance further, going on to complete a Masters degree in European Classical Acting at Drama Centre London. As an English teacher I have designed English curricula at KS3 and KS4 and it remains an area about which I am passionate. In 2021 I gained the National Qualification in Senior Leadership with a focus on whole school curriculum design and delivery. I am a member of the Chartered College of Teaching.

• Ms Sarah Barker, BA (Hons), MA, MA, PGCE - Whole School Reading Lead

I graduated from University College London with an honours degree in Linguistics. I completed my PGCE in English at the University of Bristol and went on to complete a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. I also have a master’s degree in English Literature, in which I specialised in the representation of Jewish women on the Elizabethan stage. I am interested in supporting all students to become fully literate adults, and in widening the worlds of our young people through literature. I am a senior examiner, as well as Lead Assessment Writer and Lead Examiner for English GCSE specifications.  

• Mr Eric Bateson, BA (Hons), MTeach, PGCE- Second in Faculty (job share)

I studied Classics at Durham University and graduated with a first class honours degree. I mainly focused on Greek and Latin poetry, and my studies included studying for a year in Germany. I then completed my PGCE at Cambridge and my Masters in Teaching at UCL. I have taught Classical subjects, English and Media Studies and I enjoy exploring the crossover between these disciplines.

• Miss Rachel Cox, BA (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from the University of Cardiff with a degree in English Literature and went on to complete a PGCE at UWE. I have a particular interest in children’s literature and have recently been involved in the shortlisting judging panel for the UKLA book awards. Since joining Orchard School, I have also enjoyed co-organising the creative writing club. I am a member of the Chartered College of Teaching.

• Mr Robert Flitter, BA (Hons), MA, QTS

I hold a Bachelor's and Master's degree in History from the University of Bristol. I have a wide range of academic interests – broadly related to our relationship with traces of the past – but my studies focused particularly on histories of identity and resistance; I specialised in histories of writing about urban spaces. My main teaching subject is English, but I have previously taught history here at Orchard; I have also worked extensively on widening participation in the Classics, introducing classical civilisation and Latin to our curriculum.

• Mr Timmy Garrett, BA (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from the University of the West of England with a first-class degree in Media and Journalism and went on to undertake my teacher training there. I have a passion for reading and enthusing younger people to get excited about books. I am also interested in the media industry and have worked for various video game publications, as well as producing and hosting several successful podcasts.

• Ms Gemma Lavelle, BA (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from the University of York with a degree in English and Related Literature, and completed my PGCE at the University of Bristol. I also have a CertTESOL qualification and have taught English abroad for several months. I'm particularly interested in gender in literature and exploring diverse voices in the English Curriculum.

• Mr Khalid Naseem, BA (Hons) (Cantab), PGCE

I graduated from the University of Cambridge with an honours degree in Middle Eastern Studies - specialising in Arabic and Persian - and gained my PGCE with QTS from Goldsmiths, University of London. I hold a CELTA certificate and have taught English abroad for several years; I speak several languages including Arabic, Persian and French. I am passionate about languages and literature, with a particular interest in poetry across cultures. I believe that giving students an appreciation for language and literary analysis will enable them to flourish in their academic and personal lives.

• Mr Arun Sharma, BA (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an honours degree in English and Philosophy and have since taken post-graduate modules in contemporary American literature, and coaching in education. I have a passion for children's literature and I am currently a long-listing panel judge for the UKLA book awards.

• Ms Sophie Wiltshire, BSc (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Childhood Studies before completing my PGCE. I have a keen interest in the teaching of current affairs and encouraging students to engage in debate and discussion. I have taught English, Philosophy, Latin and PSHE at Orchard. As a year 7 tutor I am passionate about supporting students to make the transition to secondary, through building strong and consistent relationships.