Aims of Department
The English curriculum at FBS is designed to expose boys to influential works of literature, develop within them a lifelong love of reading for pleasure, and develop their communication skills, be it orally, creatively or functionally.
The curriculum is carefully structured to ensure that boys develop the reading and writing skills needed for success in examinations, while at the same time allowing them opportunities to pursue their own interests.
Each unit therefore has a thematic title, and the texts studied within that topic complement each other in terms of enabling the boys to see how different writers have explored the same themes across different genres and time periods. Built into these units are reading projects, creative writing competitions, and enterprise projects that allow all boys to both follow their individual passions and develop skills that will help them across the curriculum.
Our approach to lessons
English lessons are geared towards boys, using texts, resources and activities that we know will engage their interest. Working with predominantly mixed-ability classes, lessons are differentiated to ensure that all boys can access classic works of literature while being suitably challenged or supported depending on their individual needs.
Boys are regularly encouraged to engage with the feedback that they have been given, either by their teachers or peers, to re-draft and improve the quality of their written work.
What is it like to study English at FBS?
World Book Day: Battle of the Books (Amari Barnes)
There I was gripping my book for dear life as it was my life-support, holding a figurative sword in my notes and with every pair of eyes on me.
I entered the school library with high hopes and one goal. Success. I saw the ‘Battle of the Books’ decorations and knew what to do, and with that Mr. Jeeps and Ms Monti called out me and Nour, also a Liddell 4 member, and my heart-beat grew more audible by the second. I looked him in the eyes and sparked my first witty lines to heat up the audience. “Ladies, First!” Nour takes this and throws down all of his points. After he does, I accept this and use my points and form a line that went “Only 10 million sales, I have 100 million: get on my level” With the crowd’s roaring agreement I took down my fellow form member. I watched the remaining contests with intense eyes. ‘Traveling alone’ came up against ‘the bible’, and the formidable Josh Shonubi joined the fight. My confidence raised, I stepped into the ring once again to finish the fight.
The final match. A battle royale to finish the war. I start off with my quips” Traveling alone, that speaks for itself” “Welcome to nowhere, psh this book is going nowhere” and Dawud and Seb go into a furious descent finishing with me on top and the crowd cheering. Thanks to me, ‘The Maze Runner’ is the FBS Battle of the Books champion 2018.
