English Department The English Department is the biggest department in the school reflecting the importance the subject has in the school’s curriculum and its priority in raising standards. There are seven full time teachers each of whom is based in a fully equipped room. All pupils have 4 periods of English per week allowing us to cover the full range of opportunities for learning that the subject provides. At Key Stage 4 all pupils are prepared for GCSE in English and English Literature. We also offer Drama and Media Studies at Key Stage 4 according to demand. Pupils are encouraged to participate in out of school English related activities. Groups of pupils have worked with a professional poet and achieved success in poetry competitions. Performance readings are a regular feature of school events and the school has a long history of successful participation in the Darlington Schools’ Public Spelling Competition.