English
Head of English: Mr D Affleck (email)
Ethos
The teaching of English at Davenies has been founded on certain principles, ideas and enthusiasms. A sense of 'wonder' and exploration is at the centre of the Department's philosophy. It is from this sense of 'wonder' that our objectives and aims naturally flow, producing in our pupils a love of language, the confidence of true expression, and skills that will serve them throughout their life. When teaching English, there is an awareness that this, more than any other subject, explores the human condition, and that language embodies the subtle worlds of emotion, intellect, feelings and morality.
Davenies' English Department is an inclusive Department that shapes its teaching in line with the overall School Mission Statement and Aims of the school. It works very closely with the Learning Support Department; indeed, it is impossible to say where one ends and the other begins. There is a constant flow of reciprocal information between Departments that seeks to empower individual pupils to do their best.
The English Department consists of the following staff members:
Mr Dominic Affleck (Head of English and Drama) - teaches Years 5, 7 & 8
Miss Jacqui Swift - teaches Years 5, 6, 7 & 8
Mrs Louise Boylan- teaches Year 6
Mrs Russell - teaches Year 4
Mrs Chris Smith and Miss Catherine Young - teach Year 3
Mrs Elizabeth Scott (KS1 Literacy Coordinator)
Teaching Patterns & the National Curriculum
Davenies' English Department follows the National Curriculum up to Year 6. The literacy hour strategy has been largely adopted in the main (although, being an Independent School, there is an element of cherry picking to suit needs and context) and there has been considerable investment and re-training of staff in recent years. There have also been regular staff meetings and link meetings between different year group teachers to achieve a coherent pattern of teaching and assessment throughout the school. This has led to a more refined and holistic approach.
Click here to view one of the winners from our outstanding BuzzRhyme Poetry Competition…