English

English Curriculum Documents

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Curriculum Rationale

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Curriculum Plan

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Learning Journey

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The English Department occupies a suite of teaching rooms and is fully staffed with eight full time teachers.  All rooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards.  Extra-curricular activities take place throughout the year.

HIGHER ATTAINERS  
KEY STAGE 3 KEY STAGE 4
Year 7 Super Curriculum Year 10 Super Curriculum
Year 8 Super Curriculum Year 11 Super Curriculum
Year 9 Super Curriculum  
KS3 - Suggested Reading List GCSE Recommended Reading List with non-fiction

 

Year 10 A Christmas Carol

 

Quantum Theatre Company visited Hurstmere with their magical production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Their rendition of the story conveyed the timeless tale of mean spirited Scrooge and his ban on Christmas. The boys were treated to some superb acting and clever character changes which helped embed the themes and plot in order to aid them with their knowledge of the novella for their English Literature GCSE. There was not a "Bah Humbug" in the house!

 

November 2022

Click here to view photos

 

Year 11 - "Macbeth"

Fair is foul, and fair is fair…we hovered, or rather drove through the fog and filthy air to get to The Globe Theatre at Southbank where Year 11 were treated to a wonderful production of “Macbeth”. Whilst it was cold, the weather brightened up for us which was fortunate as we were stood in the pit to watch Shakespeare’s play. The inventive setting was fantastic and it was great to see the cast engage with our pupils who managed to get to the very front of the stage. Seeing this production be performed as it was meant to be was a fantastic opportunity and one that I know will help so many of our pupils with their revision over the Easter holidays. As always, the behaviour of our pupils was exemplary. It was a privilege to hear them discussing vocabulary changes and immersing themselves in the dialogue. The Macbeth and Macduff fight scene meant that the play finished with a bang.  

Thank you to Deutsche Bank for the tickets and to our fantastic Jack Petchey award winner, Krish Bhaghodia who donated his monetary prize to pay for the coach. 

Miss Parris 

YEAR 10  A CHRISTMAS CAROL

LIVE THEATRE 17th December 2021 

On the last day of term , Year 10 were treated to a live performance of “A Christmas Carol” without even having to leave school. Quantum Theatre Company performed the famous story with an ingenious cast of three and some truly remarkable quick changes! How they managed to be whole Cratchit family I’m still not sure  - but they managed to pull it off. Using traditional Christmas carols as their segues between scenes, the redemptive story of Scrooge and his eventual embrace of the Christmas spirit was inventively told. Year 10 are studying the Dickens text for their GCSE Exam.  

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More pictures here.

‘CHECKING OUT ME POETRY!’

In February, Year 11  pupils attended the GCSE Poetry Live event at the Apollo Theatre, Victoria.

Against the surreal backdrop of the musical ‘Wicked’, poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, as well as Owen Sheers and Imtiaz Dharker read out some of their poetry and participated in a short question and answer session with the pupils. Oxford University’s Professor of Poetry, Simon Armitage then delivered a variety of his work along with his usual amusing anecdotes, explaining his influences and many of the ideas behind his poems which are in the AQA GCSE Anthology. Each poet also discussed how certain writers had influenced their own creations.

The AQA examiner also took to the stage and gave a masterclass in “how to achieve a Level 4, or above, in your English GCSE.” He took the pupils through an essay, explaining what the examiners are looking for in a pupil response to poetry. The Hurstmere boys furiously scribbled down notes which will hopefully aid them in their revision and success in June!

The star of the show was, as always, John Agard. Greeted like a rock star by the pupils, his enthusiasm for and joy of writing poetry is infectious and he had everybody in the audience clapping and shouting along to his poetry.  A very worthwhile day!

K. MacKenzie-Ingle

Year 9 Take On Shakespeare

In March, 40 Year 9 pupils took a coach up to London to see a production of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy: “Romeo and Juliet”. All Year 9 pupils study this play during the summer term, so it was an opportunity to see the Bard’s famous lines come to life.

We had standing tickets, meaning we were essentially getting the same view as the Elizabethan groundlings, who paid one penny for the privilege of seeing a play in the early 17th century. This meant we were exposed to the elements as The Globe famously has an open roof.

During the play it did start to drizzle at points, however, the production was so engrossing it didn’t matter. Seeing the play performance by such a talented young cast definitely inspired our students, particularly the performance by Ned Derrington as Mercutio, who played the part with verve and cadence.

Despite the rain and standing for the entire 90 minute long performance, our boys’ behaviour was exemplary and they really did us proud. We hope this experience instils a love of Shakespeare and theatre in our pupils. Well done Year 9!

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More pictures here.

      Year 6 Transition

 

 

Sherwood Park

As part of the Penhill Trust, and to aid the transition from primary to secondary education, fourteen Year 6 pupils from Sherwood Park Primary School (who are future Hurstmere pupils) were invited to Hurstmere School.

They participated in an English lesson led by Miss Bradley, which gave them an authentic understanding of what to expect in secondary school.

The pupils studied how to write descriptively at Key Stage 3 level. 

The students were enthusiastic and hard-working.

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