English
English is a subject of ideas. Through literature, language and discussion, students learn to interpret the world around them, understand different perspectives and communicate with precision and purpose.
Studying English within a bilingual and multicultural environment brings an added richness to this experience. As students develop their understanding of English language and literature, they can also make connections with the French texts, traditions and ideas they encounter elsewhere in their studies. Moving between languages and cultures helps students recognise both different perspectives and shared human experiences.
Divider Dot Path
Through fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction, students engage with voices from different periods, places and cultures. From Shakespeare and Willy Russell to George Orwell, Arthur Miller and Chinua Achebe, they explore how writers respond to the societies in which they live and the questions that continue to resonate across time. Along the way, students learn to question, analyse and reflect, while developing an appreciation of the power of language to shape how we think, communicate and understand one another.
What Students Experience
Across Years 7–10, students explore a rich variety of fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction, spanning contemporary writing, Gothic literature, Shakespearean drama, modern fiction and poetry from different periods and cultures. They engage with both classic and contemporary works, examining how writers respond to the societies in which they live and the questions that continue to resonate across time.
Students encounter themes such as identity, power, justice, belonging and change. Alongside literary study, they develop their own writing through creative, analytical and transactional forms, learning how language can inform, persuade, entertain and inspire.
How Students Learn
Discussion is central to learning in English. Students are encouraged to share ideas, challenge interpretations and support their thinking with evidence from the texts they study.
Lessons combine close reading, writing, performance and collaborative enquiry. Students learn to write with increasing clarity and control, while presentations, dramatic activities and structured discussion help them become confident and thoughtful communicators.
Beyond the Classroom
English extends beyond lessons through reading, performance and creative expression.
Students take part in writing, poetry and public speaking competitions, from Poetry by Heart to the ESU Performing Shakespeare competition.Visits to the theatre, including Shakespeare productions and trips to places such as Stratford-upon-Avon, bring literary texts to life, while translation projects and cross-curricular collaborations encourage students to make meaningful connections between languages, cultures and disciplines.
Looking Ahead
The Middle School curriculum provides strong preparation for IGCSE English Language and Literature in Year 11, and beyond that for the IB and BFI English courses.
More importantly, it equips students with the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and engage thoughtfully with complex ideas - skills that will support them throughout their education and beyond.