MENU Home About Shiplake Academic Shiplake Seven Curriculum Overview Academic Departments Art Business Computing Studies Design, Engineering and Technology Drama Economics English English as an Additional Language Geography History Mathematics Media Studies Modern Languages Music Photography Physical Education Psychology Religious Studies Science Teaching and Learning The Thinking Space Learning Development Examinations Careers and UCAS Shiplake Scholars Co-Curricular Boarding and Pastoral Admissions Parent Information Old Viking Society COVID-19 CONTACT US CALENDAR NEWS REQUEST A PROSPECTUS FIXTURES AND RESULTS VENUE HIRE JOB VACANCIES PARENT PORTAL PUPIL PORTAL STAFF PORTAL TERMS AND PRIVACY SHIPLAKE COLLEGE, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE, RG9 4BW HOME − ACADEMIC − ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS − ENGLISH ENGLISH English is a core element of the curriculum which develops knowledge and skills essential to everyday life. The importance of the subject cannot be overestimated, as performance at GCSE level is taken into account by all universities and employers. Shiplake’s English Department has a forward-thinking group of teachers who pride themselves on using modern, innovative teaching styles to deliver exciting and varied lessons. As well as preparing pupils in the best possible way for examinations, staff aim to instil an enthusiasm for language and literature which has many other benefits. Resources The English Department is housed in the listed stableyard area of the school. The classrooms have all recently been refurbished with brand new furniture, carpets and freshly painted walls providing a pleasant learning environment. The department is progressive in its use of technology, and within the department there is frequent use of iPads, Apple TVs, televisions and projectors. This is in line with the College’s policy to embrace modern technology in many ways to enhance teaching. Every pupil owns a laptop or tablet and they are encouraged to bring these to lessons for educational use. As a team, the English teachers are constantly looking for new tools to improve the learning experience of pupils in their care. The College currently subscribe to an e-library service, through which several hundred teen fiction titles are available for students to download for free onto their personal devices. Additional Opportunities The John Turner Building is also available for pupils to use. This £4.3million project includes an innovative and unique ‘Thinking Space’, providing areas for pupils to collaborate, reflect, read and research. Pupils have access to a huge variety of digital resources, which, with the help of a digital librarian will be used to assist their learning. Pupils are expected to read for pleasure and to supplement learning, both during and after lessons. The Thinking Space provides an exciting, purpose-built environment for pupils to embrace and explore literature. In the past, the English department has run trips to theatres, libraries and festivals such as the Henley Literary Festival. Pupils are taken to see relevant plays, often Shakespeare, whenever they are showing locally. Curriculum KEY STAGE 3 GCSE SIXTH FORM ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE