English
The department intends to encourage and extend an enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of English, and to create an atmosphere where pupils wish to learn.
Pupils should experience a variety of activities during a course of study and be given opportunities to discuss, argue and debate their views. Department staff will aim to show the benefits that language and literature have brought us, by way of well-chosen resources and careful comment.
The department enthusiastically pursues the following academic aims:
- to develop pupils' ability to write clearly, accurately, imaginatively and analytically with a wide vocabulary in a variety of forms
- to foster pupils' ability to read accurately and independently, and to distinguish between a broad spectrum of texts
- to develop pupils' knowledge about different kinds of English, and about language, by exploring the structure and origin of words
- to enable pupils to speak confidently in a range of circumstances, and to listen and respond appropriately
- to encourage pupils' informed personal responses, and to promote an awareness of, and respect for, other people's perspectives
- to create an environment where pupils enjoy their English lessons and increase in confidence orally and on paper
English should be invigorating and we, as English teachers here, do all we can to ensure it is so.
The English Society, run by departmental staff for Sixth Form students, arranges a variety of extra-curricular opportunities. There are interview practice sessions for prospective Oxbridge candidates as well as preparation for the ELAT pre-interview examination at Oxford. The department organises academics and guest speakers to address the students; in 2008-09 we had Professor Jon Stallworthy and Dr Robert Douglas-Fairhurst OE from Oxford. Members of the department will talk on literary / linguistic subjects of particular interest to them. There are also regular theatre trips; so far in 2008-09 we saw The Tempest, Measure for Measure, Hamlet, Twelfth Night and No Man's Land.
The department has a proud history of success in Debating. In 2009 two teams went through to the finals of the Oxford Union debating competition. Pupils also compete in the Cambridge and other national debating competitions. The Film Club is open to pupils from Years 10 to the Upper Sixth and aims to develop visual literacy.
In the Lower and Middle School there are opportunities for boys to be involved in writing for, and editing, the school magazine, as well as taking part in the Lecture Competition for Years 7 to 10. There is a weekly Scrabble Club and lunchtime assistance for those who find certain aspects of English challenging.
The Department is committed to developing creative and expressive writing. During the Autumn term we have had a Writer in Residence working with Years 7-11. In 2009 the young playwright Kenny Emson helped pupils with their writing alongside classroom teachers, ran a lunchtime club and presented a Creative Writing Evening in December; some of the best work was collected in an Anthology.
Matthew Pollard (Head of English) joined Eltham College in January 2008. He has an MA from King's College, London, a PGCE from Cambridge University and a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Newcastle.
The other members of the department are Keith Barron (Senior Master), Tom Mitchell (also Drama), Matthew Hamblin, Kimberley Wyatt (Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator) and Cath Green (Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator).
Reading lists for all pupils from Year 7 to Upper Sixth are available here, including new book lists added in December 2009.
