English at the RGS is something rather special.  The department, co-ordinated by Mr D Parsons, believes in a mixture of traditional and innovative teaching methods, and our primary concern is to get the very best out of the boys – a fact reflected in excellent grades at both GCSE and at A level. Perhaps more importantly though, we aim to instil in students a genuine curiosity and joy in reading and literature that will stay with them throughout their lives.  

At Key Stage 3, boys are taught in form groups and work focuses on improving written and reading skills, and on exploring classic and more modern texts. ICT is used extensively throughout lessons through a vareity of methods, including the use of the projectors installed in every classroom.  

All boys study both English Language and English Literature as far as GCSE, with almost all boys entering at the highest examination tier. The GCSE board is AQA, specification B. The department helps boys achieve an A* to C grade at both English Language and Literature in virtually every instance.

We have a large cohort of boys who take both English Language and Literature at A level and achieve excellent results in both, including a number who go on to read the subject at university.

We as a department believe that English should not simply be restricted to the classroom however, and there are a number of opportunities to extend students' knowledge of the subject through a range of extra curricular activities run by members of the department, including book groups, a debating society, public speaking competitions and a creative writing society, as well as any number of theatre trips to both Stratford and London.