If English is about language and expression, then it is equally
about thought: good English goes hand in hand with clear, coherent
thinking. We challenge pupils to think sensitively and carefully
about issues in their own lives, in the world around them and in
the books we read with them and we encourage them to explore their
ideas in a variety of forms: spoken and written, creatively and
analytically, in both fictional and transactional forms. We want
our pupils to enjoy exploring language through creativity,
performance and analysis and aim to encourage sensitive listening,
fluent speech, discerning reading, precise writing and independent
thought.
In the Lower School (Year 7-9) our syllabus loosely follows the
National Curriculum although we do not subscribe to the Literacy
Strategy, mainly because we feel it straitjackets both teacher and
pupil. We do, however, have core coursework 'modules' in each year
of the Lower School which prepare the boys for the requirements of
external examinations. We frequently use Drama in our English
lessons and have our own Drama Studio. We also have an excellent
Lower School Library where we teach research skills and encourage
the boys in their own reading.
We regularly invite writers and performers into school to
enhance the boys' appreciation of the literature they study,
particularly their appreciation of Shakespeare. There are also
regular theatre visits at all levels of the school, ranging from
Christmas shows at the Bolton Octagon for younger pupils to
Shakespeare at the Royal Exchange for GCSE and Sixth Form. We also
take the Sixth Form student to Shakespeare's Globe in London in the
Summer Term of Year 12.
We teach English and English Literature to GCSE and A Level. At
GCSE we teach the combined WJEC course leading to separate
qualifications in English and English Literature. At A Level we
offer English Language (AQA) or English Literature (OCR). We
regularly send boys on to University to study English and have sent
a number of students to Oxbridge in recent years.
The English Department is very stable, experienced and highly
qualified and we all take a genuine interest in literary matters
such as theatre, reading and creative writing (often putting on our
own plays and adaptations), as well as other areas of interest such
as music, art and sport. We are able to convey this enthusiasm to
the boys both in the classroom and also through the range of
extra-curricular activities we offer, which include drama clubs,
reading groups, debating societies and an Old English reading
group.
Head of Department:
R J Griffiths MA
Members of the Department:
M Bannister MA
N Cropper BA
S W Holland BA, PhD
A Liptrott BA
M Shewan MA