Focus on a department - English

This term in the English Department, we have started some exciting new units. Year 7s are exploring the Gothic genre, with particular focus on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; Year 8s are studying John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and the characterisation in the novella; Year 9 are analysing J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls and have explored its purpose as a morality play; Year 10 have begun their GCSE play, Macbeth and understanding the significance of its central themes in the modern world; Year 11 are studying Jekyll and Hyde and considering the duality of man. 

Cultivating a love for reading has been a huge focus for our department this year. We have reintroduced library lessons once a fortnight, with classes reading extracts from classic literature and then having time to read their own choice of book independently in our newly reopened reading room. We plan to take classes across to Stamford Hill Library in the coming months, so that the students can obtain a library card and have access to books over the summer holidays, but also so they are able to read for pleasure whenever they want. 

Other extracurricular activities within the department have included a trip to Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, an operatic thriller performed at The Royal Opera House. We took 30 students out for the day to enjoy this new and exciting experience and it was enjoyed by all involved. The Sixth Form also enjoyed a production of ‘The Boy with Two Hearts’ at The National Theatre, which will aid their wider reading and understanding for their Immigrant Literature unit.

With World Book Day being our main event this term, we were delighted to welcome renowned author, Alexandra Sheppard, into Our Lady’s to talk to the Year 7 and Year 9s about her best-selling book, Oh My Gods! Alex spoke to the girls about her early life and later career choices, from growing up in North London, to becoming a social media strategist and enrolling in a creative writing course. The event was a great success, with many pupils staying behind to ask Alex for her autograph and to ask more questions about her new book. 

World Book Day also saw the students participating in a number of activities around the school, such as ‘The Secret Reader’ competition, as well as dressing up as their favourite book character. The English Department would like to take this opportunity to announce the winners of the competitions. Congratulations to Talia for her fantastic and creative Queen of Hearts costume and congratulations to 8M for guessing 13 teachers correctly in ‘The Secret Reader’ competition. Prizes will be given over the next few weeks. 

Staff in the English Department are incredibly proud of the students’ hard work and resilience so far this year. We want to wish our Year 11 and Year 13 students good luck as they begin their exams in the summer.