English
English Language and Literature teaches important skills; success can open the door to many university courses and careers.
Key Stage 3:
At Heckmondwike Grammar School the English Department aims to inspire high standards of language and literacy by encouraging pupils to acquire a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. We believe that, through reading, pupils have an opportunity to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a crucial part in such progress.
Our pupils will be given the opportunity to read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, including whole books, short stories, poems and plays with a wide coverage of genres, historical periods, forms and authors. Heckmondwike’s pupils will be taught to write accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information through writing for a wide range of purposes and audiences.
Finally, our pupils will be taught to speak confidently and effectively in a range of formal and informal contexts, including classroom discussion, giving short speeches and presentations, expressing their own ideas, participating in formal debates and structured discussions.
Key Stage 4:
Introduction
GCSE/Key Stage 4 courses in English Language and English Literature (AQA) will be offered. We expect all our students will enter for both subjects. There are seven parallel teaching groups: students are not set by ability.
Key Stage 5:
English Language and Literature
An A Level in English Literature or Language will provide the groundwork for any degree or career involving written communication, research and analytical skills. It will open the doors to many careers including Journalism, Teaching, Law, Academia, Media, Advertising, Marketing, Politics and the Performing Arts.
Why Choose English Language?
When studying our AQA course, you learn about the language we use today – including written, spoken and multi-modal. You will: write creatively for a variety of audiences and purposes; read and analyse a range of texts and develop your ability to express your opinion with confidence. See the English Language page in the Sixth Form Prospectus for more details.
Why Choose English Literature?
Our AQA course will introduce you to some of the greatest poetry, prose and drama ever written. You will study how to approach the analysis of texts from a range of different genres, eras and cultures with confidence. You will learn how to express informed and independent opinions and judgements about them based on sound evidence. This subject will show you how to identify key literary and linguistic features and how to write about the ways in which writers use these to create specific effects. See the English Literature page in the Sixth Form Prospectus for more details.
Key Stage 5 English Literature