English Faculty
The English Faculty is about gaining power: the power of creativity, the power of empathy and the power of knowledge. Through our curriculum, Birchwood students explore how they feel about and relate to the world, and to their place in it.
The study of media and film will enable students to critically analyse a culturally diverse range of texts and apply theoretical perspectives to better understand and challenge representations and ideologies constructed in the media. Through our curriculum, Birchwood students will develop practical skills and knowledge that will open doors to many different career paths in industries such as film, television, advertising, journalism, radio, gaming and new media.
Staff
To contact a member of this Faculty, click their staff initials to open a new e-mail
Curriculum Maps
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 5
Guided Reading
KS3 Guided Reading Lessons - Books
Year 7
Year 8
Autumn Term
Set 1 – The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde
Set 2 – The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Set 3 – The Infinite by Patience Agbabi
Set 1 – The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
Set 2 – Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick
Set 3 – Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Spring Term
Set 1 – The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
Set 2 – Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah
Set 3 – Shadow by Michael Morpurgo
Set 1 – Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Set 2 – Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Set 3 – The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Summer Term
Set 1 – Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
Set 2 – Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Set 3 – A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Set 1 – The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Set 2 – The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Set 3 – The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo
As part of the whole school literacy Years 7-10 have a form time reading book.
Year 7: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Year 8: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Year 9: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Year 10: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-Curricular Activities will be available shortly.
Clubs and Activities
Lunchtimes
TBC
After school
TBC
Subject Support
Lunchtimes
Years 10 and 11
English revision (ABS/ZBR/JLE)
D1 on Wednesday, 13.30-14.00
D6 on Thursdays, 13:30-14:00
After school
Years 10 and 11
English revision (ZBR/JLE)
D6 on Mondays, 15:30-16:30
Year 11 Set 4 English revision (CCG)
C16 on Wednesdays, 15.30-16.30
News
Summer Reading Challenge
Over the summer holiday we will be asking students (and staff) to send in photographs of themselves reading books in weird and wonderful places. The more obscure the better.
If you find yourself reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on a visit to Cadbury World, Messi at the Charity Shield match or Billie Eilish – From E-Girl to Icon at a music gig simply take a selfie and send it to Mrs Gibson in the Library jgibson@birchwoodhigh.org.uk.
The best photo as chosen by a panel of independent judges will win a bag of goodies including a £10 Waterstones voucher.
BB is pictured reading his favourite book ‘A Boy and a Bear in a Boat’ by Dave Shelton, whilst on holiday at Birchwood High School.
Mrs Gibson, Library Resource Manager
Read, Review, Reward competition
Congratulations to Molly-Sue Wedgbrow from Year 10 who was the lucky winner of last half term’s ‘Read, Review, Reward’ competition. Molly read and
reviewed a selection of books from the reading list – one of her favourites was ‘Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me’ by Mariko Tamaki which she rated 4 out of 5.
Mrs Gibson, Library Resource Manager
Read, Review, Reward Competition
The English Faculty are launching a reading competition!
Read as many books from the reading lists as you can.
Win 10 points for every book that you read!
To enter, submit your review to Miss Lava in D7
OR
email it to dmiguellava@birchwoodhigh.org.uk
At the end of every half term the students who have completed the most reading will be rewarded 100 house points!
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