“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” — Maya Angelou.

The English Department at Walthamstow Academy is fully committed to ensuring that every student makes rapid progress. The team instils in students an understanding of the importance of the subject, generating creativity alongside teaching essential skills. Beyond the curriculum, the department is committed to nurturing a love of reading.

Our English curriculum develops students into critical, independent readers who are confident, creative communicators. We engender a sense of enthusiasm around academic study of literature and, through this, we provide students with the opportunities to learn about different times, different cultures, different beliefs and themselves.

All students

• Make connections between texts and the contexts that they were written in

We place importance on the teaching of context around the texts that our students learn. Every student has the historical, cultural and social knowledge to effectively understand texts in their context.

• Have access to a broad and diverse selection of literature texts

We review and improve our curriculum to ensure that it is diverse and broad. This means that students read about a range of experiences and ideas and see writers and readers as diverse and relevant to their lives.

Through the reading curriculum, students are exposed to an even broader range of texts that cover a range of literary genres and styles.

• Develop original, critical thought around literature

All students are encouraged to develop their own critical eye when it comes to literature. This is developed through rich discussion, modelling of interpretation, use of critical theory and relentless questioning.

• Express themselves confidently and creatively

Through discussion and writing, students engage with the world and the issues around them. We ensure that their persuasive and discursive writing reflects issues that they encounter in the real world so that they are empowered to comment on and change their environment.

• Develop a love of reading

Through timetabled reading lessons at KS3, students enjoy reading guided by their reading teacher. The reading curriculum is created to provide students with enjoyable and rich reading opportunities and discussions around stories and non-fiction.

University

Our curriculum introduces students to some degree level content at KS4 and KS5. Students are equipped to be able to discuss complex and challenging ideas getting them ready for the rigour of university life.

Careers

We teach students that English is a vital subject for all careers. Being articulate is a skill that we praise highly and that all teachers model. Through thoughtful discussion and debate, we ensure that students have impressive skills in self expression. In writing, we ask students to think about why and how they communicate, a skill that can lead to effective writing in all walks of life.

The English Department at Walthamstow Academy is made up of a dynamic team of teachers who inspire students to achieve highly. Students are encouraged to ask probing questions and debate issues that arise from the literature studied, facilitated with skill and passion by their teachers.

• Mr Liam Tweed: Head of English
• Ms Tijen Adem
• Ms Hannah Alberman - 2iC - KS3
• Mr Stephen Bell-Brown - 2iC - KS5
• Ms Jess Capstick
• Ms Louise Hare-Dhoomun - Literacy Intervention Co-ordinator
• Ms Lisa Hostick 
• Ms Emma Kraemer 
• Ms Lauren Lucien
• Ms Yonca Nacak: 2iC - KS4
• Ms Phoebe Rees
• Mr Joel Russell
• Ms Mobeen Sultan
• Mr Nick Turnbull

For more information on our curriculum, please email liam.tweed@walthamstow-academy.org for a copy of our department curriculum handbook.