2012 is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. A curious word – jubilee – one that has it’s origins in the ancient Hebrew word yobhel – which denoted a ram’s horn that was blown in celebration. Now there’s a turn up for the books, unless you happen to be a Hebrew scholar. The next few months will see the final build-up to the other major event in the UK this year – the London 2012 Olympic Games. I felt more confident about the etymology of this word – olympic – which derives from Mount Olympus, home of the Gods, in Ancient Greece.
The naming of these two very current and significant events in the British calendar for 2012 has very deep roots in places far from our shores, reflecting the historical pre-eminence of these two languages and ancient civilisations. Our own English language and culture also has deep and impressive roots, drawing as it does on the Latin, Viking, and Anglo-Saxon linguistic traditions, not to mention the original settlers of these isles – the Celts, be they Scots, Welsh, Irish or even Cornish. And it this hybrid language that modern day English teachers are called on to teach.
Ofsted has also chosen 2012 to deliver it’s new report:
Moving English forward -Action to raise standards in English which states;
There can be no more important subject than English in the school curriculum. English is a pre-eminent world language, it is at the heart of our culture and it is the language medium in which most of our pupils think and communicate.
What it suggests is that if English were an Olympic event, it would probably be the equivalent of the 100 metres final. Yet as Ofsted would have it, we’re not exactly in with a chance of a medal if current form is anything to go by. This is what the report has to say;
Although GCSE results have improved, nearly 30% of students who are entered for GCSE English do not achieve grades A* to C. Across all phases, girls continue to outperform boys in English. Those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals continue to achieve less highly in English than those pupils who are not eligible. In addition, the government’s White Paper3 makes it clear that floor standards in English need to rise still further and surveys suggest that standards have slipped in comparison with our international competitors.
Year 11 students are currently in the final stages of preparing for this important examination. At WorldClass, we’ve delivered our Strong Language GCSE English Revision and Motivation Programme in many different schools and academies across the country, and what the students tell us they value more than anything is having their confidence bolstered. Ofsted have just set the bar even higher but right now you might well have more pressing matters on your mind as a Head of English/English teacher. There’ll be time enough to respond to this and put your strategic planning in place once the examinations are over. For now, reinforcing your relationship with your students will be key as they look to you for support during this last critical phase. With this as a guiding principle your students’ confidence levels should rise accordingly. We’ll pick this work up in later posts. In the meantime, have a well earned Spring break!
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