In years 7, 8 and 9 English is taught in mixed ability groups with the emphasis upon variety.  There is the study of novels, short stories, a range of poetry and plays, including Shakespeare in years 8 and 9, as well as some formal grammar work.  Stress is placed upon precision and accuracy in written work with awareness of audience, purpose and register constantly reinforced.  The National Curriculum is followed although Key Stage 3 SATs are not taken at the end of year 9. 

At GCSE all girls take both English and English Literature pursuing MEG Syllabus 1500 and 1501.  For GCSE classes are set by ability with one small teaching group to those girls finding the subject less easy.  The usual mix of coursework and terminal examinations pertaining and 100% A* to C pass rate is customary in both subjects. 

The A-level course on offer at Church High is OCR 9000, a fairly traditional Literature course involving the study of 9 texts from the 15th Century to the 20th Century over two years.  The absence of coursework or modules allows girls to take full advantage of the process of maturation that occurs throughout Sixth Form.  English A-level is a very popular choice attracting about half of each years Lower Sixth cohorts and can be taken in combination with any other subjects: Maths, Physics and English is by no means uncommon!  Many girls each year go on to pursue English degrees at University including at Oxbridge. 

Outside of the classroom the English Department contributes fully to the school’s extra curricular life.  The thorough grounding in Speaking and Listening provided by normal classroom experience pays off in some notably successful school Public Speaking and Debating teams.  There is also a thriving Drama Club (see  Theatre Studies  entry) and an annual School Play.  We have participated enthusiastically in the 1998 English Shakespeare Project and our present Deputy Head Girl is currently awaiting a positive outcome from the short-listing by RADA. 

Girls also participate enthusiastically in the editing and production of the  School Magazine  and we hope to use the school’s outstanding IT facilities to bring more and more of the magazines production “in house”. 

It can rightly be said of English at Church High that “custom cannot stale her infinite variety”.