We aspire to produce students who think independently and intellectually, who express themselves creatively and with imagination. In the Lower School and in the Sixth Form, we expect our pupils to acquire a range and depth of knowledge of English Literature and an awareness of the power and diversity of the language. Reading, writing and speaking skills lie at the core of all our teaching and we always aim to stimulate, give confidence to, and enthuse our pupils in those three areas. Throughout their time at Marlborough College we encourage our pupils to read as much as possible. All pupils study English and English Literature at GCSE level and we teach over 150 pupils in the Sixth Form.
Programmes of study Enrichment
Mrs L F W Ford (Head of Department)Mr J P CarrollMr A GistMr N O P GordonDr JJ McFarlaneDr FS McKeown Mr R D A Lamont Mr E G NobesDr M J Ponsford
Central to Form lessons is the common study of the development of human civilisation, enabling pupils to appreciate something of the chronology of that development as well as its ideas, cultures, actions and beliefs.
Pupils are asked to investigate how those in other times and places have dealt with the problems of human existence, to interpret and express these findings and to think about how they might apply what they learn to the world in which they live. They will also be encouraged to reflect on the spiritual dimension of existence, and to understand the religious experience in guiding and transforming human lives.
At GCSE we teach both English and English Literature from the AQA syllabus. From September 2009, the Remove (Year 10) will be studying for the IGCSE. Every teacher has a large measure of autonomy in deciding what is studied, and when - while still following the required programme determined by the examining board. The courses promote the Department’s strong belief in creative writing and in encouraging verbal confidence. A wide and stimulating programme of reading is fundamental to these beliefs.
Since September 2008, the Department has begun teaching the new Pre-U qualification. We believe the Pre-U offers a far more comprehensive and valuable course of study than any of the A-level specifications on offer. We are at the forefront of a new dynamism within teaching, partly in response to the demand from universities for more discerning and more credible qualifications and partly from our own desire to offer a course that is stimulating and challenging. Pupils will be given a grounding in the history of English Literature along with studying a wide variety of genres and periods. We shall also be teaching the International Baccalaureate from September 2009 in parallel with the Pre-U.
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Marlborough students enjoy and are challenged by a range of enriching activities that promote wide reading, critical thinking, analytical writing, creativity and presentational skills. The activities on offer aim to lure pupils beyond the curriculum, and to foster intellectual challenge and debate rather than academic passivity. Pupils of all ages are given opportunities to extend their interests and be made aware that English is a subject which transcends academic boundaries.
The English Department hosts half a dozen Societies covering wide-ranging interests from Shakespeare to Film, from Contemporary Literature to Creative Writing. There are frequent visits from eminent poets, writers and academics; there are opportunities to write for the school’s many and varied publications and there is a lively and full debating calendar. We run special seminars and a personal tutor programme for those thinking of studying English at Higher level. There are approximately 40 Old Marlburians reading English at university (single or joint honours), 10 of those at Oxbridge.
The Department runs a large number of trips to theatre performances and literary events as well as ‘Away Days’, such as Oxford University and the Globe Theatre in London. Members of the Department also organise and participate in more extensive trips combining creative writing, self-discovery and cultural exploration to places as diverse as Krakow, China, Pembrokeshire, the South African wilderness and Dublin.