English

Language is an important human characteristic and at Wellington we seek to develop the language instinct that lies in all of us through speaking, listening, reading and writing.  For most, but not all pupils, English is their first language and this is why the English language and literature written in English is our focus.

In Years 6-9, we have an assessment structure as follows: 20% speaking and listening coursework; 20% written coursework with 60% end of year exam.  We read new and classic novels, train you to write in different genres and study one Shakespeare play a year.  We follow a structured course of spelling, punctuation and grammar, which is regularly tested.  We do not take SATS because we believe that we can do the job better ourselves.  We have an annual Poetry Festival and an annual Creative Writing competition.  All students take part.

At GCSE we follow AQA English and English Literature ‘A’ courses and many students go on to take the English Literature OCR course in the Sixth Form.  A regular stream of students read English at leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge.  The Coleridge Society, the Magazine and the Debating Society are all enrichment opportunities run from within the English department and many get involved in Drama.

 

a recent production of Jane Eyre performed in Great Hall