Aims and philosophy

All pupils take English Language and English Literature as separate subjects to GCSE. English Literature at AS and A-levels is a lively and challenging discipline which can be combined successfully with all subjects. It appeals to those who take pleasure in reading a wide variety of literature, who enjoy expressing their opinions and developing independent ideas, who like a subject which draws upon their own experiences, and who want to keep their options open for further study. The course develops skills which are useful in all careers: the understanding of how to read critically and discerningly, and the ability to write and speak accurately, persuasively and with confidence in one's own judgments. At AS-level, pupils are encouraged to develop their interest in and enjoyment of literature, to communicate effectively, both in discussion and writing, and to understand cultural and historical influences on texts. These skills are further developed at A-level, which in addition gives candidates the chance to make comparisons between texts and to study unseen writing.

Curriculum by year-group

Shell: The aim of the first year in English is to consolidate and extend boys' knowledge about language, to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, and to introduce them to a variety of literary texts. Knowledge about language and how to spell and punctuate correctly is developed through analysis of what the boys write, formal grammar exercises and the use of reference books. Speaking and listening is practised in a variety of ways, such as debating, small-group discussions, drama and discussion in class. Reading involves the study of texts by the class as a whole - plays, poems, novels and short stories - and of guided individual choices. Pupils are issued with a Reading Journal in which they keep a record of their private reading. During the Summer term all classes study a Shakespeare play. Boys will be recommended books to read over the holidays. There are weekly library periods for each class. Writing often arises from what the boys have been reading and takes a wide variety of forms. Boys are encouraged to write creatively and to widen their vocabulary and are taught how to write formal letters and reports.

GCSE: Both English Language & English Literature include elements of oral and written coursework as well as exams in the Summer term of the Fifth Form.

The English coursework folder comprises original writing and responses to Shakespeare, prose and media texts. The English exams test responses to further media texts and AQA's Anthology and asks candidates to write essays which persuade, inform, argue, explain and describe. The English Literature coursework folder comprises responses to Shakespeare, post-1914 drama and pre-1914 prose. The English Literature exam tests responses to post-1914 prose and poetry from the Anthology.

AS: We study one Shakespeare play (e.g. As You Like It, The Tempest, Antony and Cleopatra), one novel (e.g. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, A Passage to India by E M Forster) and one poetry text (e.g. Selected Poems by Lord Byron, Selected Poems by Edward Thomas), one of which will have been written before 1900. A coursework folder of 1,500 - 2,000 words on any text (e.g. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller) not previously studied is also submitted.

A-level: We study one poetry text (e.g. The Merchant's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, Selected Poems by Gerald Manley Hopkins) and one play (e.g. Mrs Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw), one of which must have been published before 1770. A coursework folder of 3,000 words on any novel written after 1914 (e.g. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald) is submitted. Candidates study a chosen topic area (e.g. Writing of the Romantic Era, Drama Post 1945) and answer one question on an unseen extract and one on two prepared texts.

Outside the classroom

The Sheridan Society, the School's literary society, holds a number of very successful poetry readings and lectures every year. We have recently heard a presentation by Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate; he read a variety of his poems and extracts from his recently published novel to a large and highly appreciative audience. Other visiting poets have included David Hunt, who gave a reading entitled Music, Magic and Mystery, Les Murray, the Australian poet and Michael Horovitz, the highly entertaining early champion of jazz poetry.

The Society also hosts academic lectures which generally focus on a literary text or theme. Every year, the School marks National Poetry Day by organising Poetry Week. A Poem for the Day is read at assembly in each House and members of the Society give a presentation of their favourite poems on the day itself. They also give a reading of love poems on St Valentine's Day and present Poems for a Summer's Evening on the eve of Speech Day. The Society continues to foster original writing.

There are also theatre trips, made possible by the proximity of London's West End, which are usually organised around works covered by the syllabus.