English

Introduction 

The English Department at St Albans School is passionate about bringing literature and language to life. Through engaging and dynamic lessons and a broad programme of enrichment, we seek to inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing, encouraging every pupil to discover, imagine and find their voice. 

Lower School 

In the Lower School, pupils are introduced to a rich and diverse range of literature, developing a strong foundation in reading, writing and discussion. They explore Poetry through the Ages, the Art of Persuasion in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Perilous People and Places in Gothic fiction, Shakespeare’s Villains, and contemporary novels such as The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Fortnightly library lessons provide dedicated time for pupils to read, to explore new authors and genres and to share ideas through purposeful book talk. 

Third Form 

In the Third Form, pupils continue to develop their appreciation of literature through the study of Shakespeare, poetry and a range of other literary forms. The course prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of GCSE study. 

GCSE (Middle School) 

In the Middle School, pupils study both English Language and English Literature (Pearson Edexcel). Through the study of Shakespeare, modern drama, modern prose, a diverse poetry anthology and a range of non-fiction texts, pupils develop their ability to read critically, analyse writers’ choices and explore different perspectives and ideas. Alongside this, pupils refine their own writing, learning to communicate with accuracy, creativity and purpose across a range of forms and audiences. 

A Level (Sixth Form) 

At A Level, pupils study English Literature (Pearson Edexcel), engaging with a wide range of challenging and rewarding texts across poetry, prose and drama. Lessons take a seminar-style approach, in which pupils develop increasingly sophisticated skills of close analysis, exploring writers’ choices, literary contexts and different interpretations of texts. 

For their examinations, pupils study a Shakespeare play and another drama, two novels (one of which must have been written before 1900), a collection of poetry written after 2000, and another named poet or poetic movement. For the coursework component, pupils produce a comparative essay on two additional texts chosen by their classroom teacher. 

Co-curricular: Trips/Competitions/Societies 

The thriving English Society at St Albans School is led by a team of staff and Sixth Form leaders and provides pupils with an opportunity to explore their interests beyond the classroom and develop the confidence to express their ideas and find their voice through the written and spoken word. 

Within the Society, our Junior and Senior Creative Writing clubs encourage pupils to experiment with different forms, develop their own style and celebrate the creativity of their peers. Our Junior and Senior Debating clubs provide a forum for pupils to explore complex ideas, construct persuasive arguments and develop the ability to speak with clarity and conviction. Finally, the Literary Society is a valuable opportunity for Sixth Form pupils to explore literature and critical perspectives that go beyond the taught curriculum. 

Throughout the year, pupils can participate in a wide range of competitions and enrichment opportunities, including Poetry by Heart, Shakespeare by Heart, our Bring a Book to Life competition and other fiction and poetry competitions. Aspiring writers have the opportunity to see their work published in the department’s annual literary publication or to share their writing through our annual Scratch event, run in conjunction with the Drama Department. 

We strive to offer a varied programme of trips and literary experiences to inspire and challenge our students, including our annual Shakespeare lecture and visits to places like the British Library, the Dickens Museum, and theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, the West End and St Albans. Our close partnership with the School Library also enables us to welcome visiting authors. 

University & Careers 

Our team of Sixth Form English Literature teachers are passionate about supporting pupils as they prepare for university and beyond. Through expert teaching, individual guidance and mentoring, we help pupils develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue their ambitions, whether they choose to study English Literature, Creative Writing or pursue a different academic pathway at university.