The English faculty teaches English across the age range 11-18. We are also responsible for the teaching of Media Studies. Additional Literacy lessons are also taught, as described in our Key Stage 3 section.

The English faculty team are caring and enthusiastic and we work hard to ensure your daughter fosters a life-long love of English, English Literature and literature from other cultures written in English. We teach a wide range of texts and topics which help to keep the subject relevant for today and also pay homage to the past. We are very proud of our examination results at all Key Stages but believe it is "the journey there" which is most important. We hope that all students will gain pleasure and a breadth of understanding - not only of English but of the wider world - through their learning.

We hope that the following information will give you a flavour of the exciting education on offer. For more information about English, Literacy, or Media Studies at Cator Park, please contact Ms Mistry, the Head of Faculty. We are always pleased to speak to you.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, students have 3 hours of English lessons a week. In Years 7 and 8 this includes a lesson dedicated to the encouragement of reading and literacy development.

Our Literacy co-ordinator is also responsible for the planning of Literacy in Year 8 and Year 9 within discrete lessons designed to enhance the acquisition of literacy in a cross-curricular way for some students not taking a second modern foreign language.

We are always keen to get involved in as many projects as possible throughout the year and our participation and often successes can be followed in the school newsletter. One aspect that we are very proud of is our skill at debating and public speaking and encourages students to start young and continue with these skills until they leave us.

Key Stage 4

At GCSE students follow a course leading to English language, English Literature and Media Studies. All students will take a GCSE in English Language, Literature and Media Studies. Towards the end of Key Stage 4 students are invited to attend and participate in "taster lessons" for our A level courses. These give students an opportunity to get a feel for the subject and assess their personal suitability for the course.

Key Stage 5

English Literature and Media Studies AS and A2 levels are very popular and attract the student with an enquiring and analytical mind or the student who has a clear streak of creativity. Again there is always room for debate and both these subjects touch upon subject matter that is often thought provoking and enriching. Both subjects require 5 A* - C grades for entry and Literature requires at least a grade B in English.

Our faculty loves teaching these subjects and looks forward to planning exciting lessons that will entice the next generation to explore and enjoy their learning journey.