English

At Landmark, the study of English is about communication, connection and community; who am I, how do I communicate that to the world, and how do I understand the world in which I find myself?  The English classroom, therefore, is a space for curiosity, exploration and discovery.

This exploration leads us to study reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, in an atmosphere of inquiry, looking for transformative experiences. 

Rich texts, produced by ourselves and others, support this inquiry, and reading and writing for pleasure is an important part of the curriculum. 

This journey leads to students taking IGCSE English language and English literature at the end of Year 11, and our hope is to foster a lifelong love of reading and writing, with proficiency in speaking and listening.

Learning is enhanced by theatre visits, author visits and special events celebrating different aspects of English throughout the year. The development of the school library is of particular benefit in the encouragement of reading for pleasure, an essential component for success in English.

At Landmark, English is where we explore who we are, how we connect with others, and how we make sense of the world around us. Our classroom is a space for curiosity, discovery, and honest self-expression which is exactly the kind of inquiry-driven learning the IB champions in the Middle Years Programme (Key Stage 3).

Guided by the MYP's inquiry-based approach, students develop as confident readers, writers, speakers and listeners. We don't just teach skills, we create experiences that transform how students see themselves and the world, using rich texts from a wide range of voices, cultures and perspectives, including students' own writing. Reading and writing for pleasure sit at the heart of everything we do, while regular discussion and debate build the speaking and listening confidence students carry well beyond the English classroom.

This work develops the key conceptual understanding, critical thinking and communication skills that prepare students for IGCSE English Language and English Literature in Key Stage 4, and for life beyond it.

We bring English to life beyond the classroom, with theatre trips, author visits, and celebrations of language and literature throughout the year. Our school library plays a central role too, inspiring a genuine, lasting love of reading in every student.

Our Writing Continuum

To support this learning journey from Early Years right through to the end of Key Stage 4, our teachers have developed a Writing Continuum — a collection of real student work samples showing what progression in writing looks like at every stage. It's a valuable tool for both staff and parents alike, supporting consistent assessment and giving a clear, shared picture of what improvement looks like over time.