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.

English

Staff

To contact a member of this Faculty, click their staff initials to open a new e-mail

SAN Mrs S Ackerman English
ZBR Miss Z Boittier  Head of Faculty
(English) Maternity Leave
ABE Miss A Braybrooke English
ABS Mrs A Burgess English
MCN Ms M Cuddington English
WON Mr W Ockendon English
GOE Mrs G Osbourne English
MRY Mr M Reilly Acting Head of English
GSH Mr G Smith English

Curriculum Maps

Key Stage 3

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!