Key Stage 3

Our Key Stage Three curriculum encourages students to read widely, to write in a range of different styles and to develop speaking and listening skills in a range of different contexts while exploring a diverse range of topics and issues. We pride ourselves on our flexible grouping arrangements and will make decisions to teach either mixed ability or ability groups depending on the profile and needs of each year group of students.

Our provision at Key Stage Three encourages each student to enter a range of regional and national writing competitions, offering the opportunity for every student to become a published writer. For those who enjoy public speaking and drama we enter groups and individuals into the Devon Performing Arts festival every year. In recent years we have hosted author visits from Darren Shan, Julie Hearn, Sophie Mackenzie and John Townsend, which has given our students the chance to access a range of fiction and non-fiction texts on a whole new level of exploration, while collecting some cherished autographs at the same time!

Key Stage 4

Edexcel English Language (2 GCSE grades) OR Edexcel English (1 GCSE grade)

Visit the Edexcel website for more details.

There are two routes through GCSE English following either the Language and Literature dual certificate course or the English only course. The content of the dual certificate course is challenging and the pace fast-moving. We recommend that students take this course if interested in studying English at a more advanced level at post-16.

The majority of our students will take the English only pathway. Wherever possible, we will work in partnership with students and parents to ensure that students follow the correct course for them. Due to timetabling and class sizes, the English department will make the final decision about which course is most suitable for individual students.

Key Stage 5

A Level English Literature (AQA specification A)

This four-unit specification encourages students to develop their interest in English Literature through reading widely, critically and independently. Texts range across centuries, genre and gender.

Students are encouraged to become informed, independent readers of literary texts and gain an understanding of a variety of views about texts and how to read them.

A Level English Language (AQA specification A)

At AS, this course focuses on personal and immediate language contexts. At A2, language is placed in its wider social, historical and global contexts and independent study is required. This four-unit specification introduces advanced language study. It develops students' ability to write for a variety of audiences and purposes. They discover linguistic frameworks and how these can be used to analyse and interpret language.

View KS5 Overview