"And We never sent a messenger except with the language of his people in order that he might make (the message) clear for them."The Noble Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim [14: 4]
English is both at the heart of our culture and is the world’s dominant language in terms of mass communication and government. The department therefore strives to fully equip its students with the skills in written and oral expression that they can put to good use in higher education, their chosen profession, and the wider community. The department also aims to develop skills of critical reading to enable students to be sensitive to diverse viewpoints.
Edexcel
A solid foundation is laid in Years 7 and 8 with students introduced to prose, poetry and drama in both pre-1914 and post-1914 texts. Authors studied include: David Almond, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Year 9 is a foundation year for GCSE, with students sharpening their analytical skills. Genres studied include Victorian Gothic Literature and World War I poetry.
Where possible, we aim to fast-track pupils, with the more able sitting their English GCSE in Year 10. Writers studied include Wilfred Owen, W H Auden, Sebastian Faulks, John Steinbeck and J B Priestley. Creative writing is also fostered, with students encouraged to enter national competitions. We have previously had several students shortlisted for the Young Muslim Writers Awards both for poetry and prose.
Overall students at Islamia girls School have achieved 100% A* - C GCSE pass rate in English.
Pupils achieve high standards at GCSE, including in English and mathematics.Ofsted 2023
Central to the English department’s philosophy is equipping students with the skills of verbal and written communication to enable them to excel, both at school and in their wider lives; the pupils will be taught how to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.
Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. The English curriculum is designed to expose the students to a wide range of text types including: prose, drama, poetry and non-fiction. Students begin to enjoy and explore these texts, during Key Stage 3 and continue to develop and further their knowledge, over the course of Key Stage 4. The students will learn to: Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for range of contexts, purposes and audiences use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations demonstrating to others and participating in debate.
The two GCSE courses will be taught from year 9; this is to allow enough time to do justice to the teaching of the literature texts and to develop the skills required, by the language specification. Also, as the GCSEs are now assessed by 100% examination, adequate time needs to be allowed, in year 11, for revision and practice. Component 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing*Paper code: 1EN0/01 - 40% of total GCSE English Language GCSE Overview of content
Component 1: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature*Paper code: 1ET0/01 English Literature GCSE 50% of the total GCSE Overview of content Study The Merchant of Venice and An Inspector Calls. Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects. Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response. Overview of assessment
Off site visits form a very important part of the wider aims of the English Department; each year group has an annual timetabled trip; however, if other possibilities occur such as: plays, temporary exhibitions, talks, workshops and so on, they are also arranged. Year 7: Lyric Theatre Year 8: Warner Bros Studio Tour – Harry Potter. Year 9: Royal Courts of Justice: mock trial and tour Globe Theatre: tour, exhibition, workshop and Golden Hinde. Previous Visits include:
