Welcome to the English Department

Head of Department:  Mrs Z. Harvey

The English Department at HMSG aims to deliver a lively and pertinent curriculum created with the 21st century student in mind.  Skills acquired through English can help us access a world of knowledge and experience and promoting a lifelong love of reading and literature is a priority.  We have a wealth of resources and nearly all our classrooms are equipped with an interactive whiteboard allowing students access to a variety of teaching and learning environments.

All students in Key Stages 3 follow a programme of study shaped by the National Curriculum Framework for English and consolidate skills in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening.  There are many opportunities for developing learning styles and we enjoy several cross curricular projects encompassing subjects as diverse as Design and Technology, Physics and Home Economics.

Students study English Language and English Literature for GCSE and we currently follow the WJEC examination board.  Our results have been exceptional over the last 5 years; last year we saw some of the best English Language results in Wales with 46% of girls gaining A*s.

AS and A2 English Literature is a popular choice at Sixth Form level and once again we follow the WJEC specification.  This course provides a challenging yet flexible programme of study and now includes a creative writing element.  Our AS and A Level results have been consistently good with 88% of A2 students gaining A or Bs last year and 86% of AS students achieving As or Bs.

Educational trips and visits play an important part in the English curriculum; this year we have taken students on residential trips to Ypres and London, we have seen a variety of theatrical performances, visited HTV Wales and spent a day in Stratford upon Avon.  We also work closely with the library to encourage wider reading and have welcomed a variety of authors and speakers to the school.

Visiting Authors

We have a rich and varied program of visiting authors that has recently included Owen Sheers, Sarah Singleton, and performance poet Andrew Fusek Peters.  Please click on the images below for full reports and pictures.