An excellent induction programme for new pupils helps identify their learning needs and helps them settle into school life. 
English
Boys and English
Because studies show that boys and girl learn and attain differently in certain subject areas, we make sure that we tailor our lessons to get the best out of boys. In the English Department, we believe strongly that boys learn best when the subject allows for interactivity and excitement, and to this end we organise a number of fun English-related activities every year for each year group.
Activities and English
To celebrate World Book Day, we had a childrens' author of non-fiction books come in to run a workshop for Yr 7; Yr 8 had a youth librarian come to introduce them to new fiction; a theatre group put on a performance of 'The Tempest' for Yr 9; we sent some Yr 8 and 9 pupils to learn how to debate with the English Speaking Union and Yr7 raised almost £2000 for Sargent Cancer Care via a sponsored read! We have experts from Kingston's Rose Theatre coming to deliver a Shakespeare workshop to our GCSE students this autumn, and we take the A Level pupils to the Globe Theatre to participate in a typical Elizabethan play rehearsal.
Being Part of a Community
Among other things, we are a 'landmark' department on the Poetry Society web site and a Reading Connects school; we run a Literacy Club and a Reading Group in conjunction with the Kingston Schools Library Service. Last Christmas we collected books for less privileged children for Starbucks and we entered several short story and poetry writing competitions. We have hosted the last two annual Kingston Schools Publishing Contests and were delighted when external judges awarded Southborough's team the first prize of the seven participating schools both times!
The English Department seeks to fully deliver the National Curriculum. In so doing we hope to develop pupils' understanding of the spoken and written word and to help them to express themselves effectively. We propose to develop the ability of our students to read, understand and respond to a wide variety of writing, including literature and non-fiction texts. We also attempt to foster in our boys a growing ability to construct and convey meaning in their writing, matching their styles to both audience and purpose and presenting their work to the best advantage.
Supported Learning
We are fortunate enough to have our own dedicated English Teaching Assistant who works exclusively with boys who need support with their literacy, in order to help them improve their skills in all subject areas.
Understanding the Importance of Exam Success
The English Department seeks to fully deliver the National Curriculum. In so doing we hope to develop pupils' understanding of the spoken and written word and to help them to express themselves effectively. We propose to develop the ability of our students to read, understand and respond to a wide variety of writing, including literature and non-fiction texts. We also attempt to foster in our boys a growing ability to construct and convey meaning in their writing, matching their styles to both audience and purpose and presenting their work to the best advantage.
The English Department prepares pupils for the national external examinations in Key Stage 3 and 4 through a combination of textual study, discussion activities, theatre trips, film, poetry conferences and workshops. The English staff are keen to transmit our enthusiasm for the subject to those who study it.
The department follows AQA GCSE English and GCSE English Literature (Specification A)at Key Stage 4 and AQA English Literature (Specification B)at A Level.
ICT in English
The English Dept at SHS was one of only ten schools nationwide to participate in the ICT In English pilot, and the work we did with pupils was presented at the national conference.
We are extremely happy to have our own brand new English Department computer suite and we have built up a range of exciting software and learning systems to go with it. All English rooms contain interactive SmartBoards and we have electronic whiteboard slates, voting technology and a visualiser for making lessons more interesting, accessible and forward-looking.
Praise Indeed
As a department we were reviewed in June 2008 by a team of experts from another London borough, and were judged to be: "A strong department, bordering on ‘outstanding’."
During interviews with pupils, the reviewers were especially impressed with how articulate our boys were, as well as how eloquently they spoke about their enjoyment of their lessons and progress in English. We are proud of their achievements and our continuing success as a professional team.
