The English department at The Oxford Academy
To work within the English department at The Oxford Academy is to work within a vibrant and innovative team who support each other through the development of their practice. The teaching within the team is consistently excellent, with each member having an area of strength which they share with others.
Dr. Marcella McCarthy- Assistant Head and Strategic Leader for English
Dr McCarthy joined TOA in September 2012 after working in one of Oxfordshire’s most successful schools. She has outstanding subject knowledge and teaching pedagogy, which she shares regularly with the team. Her involvement in school improvement has led to a number of new and exciting initiatives being run within the English department this year. Dr McCarthy is currently writing a book on how to be an Outstanding teacher, a book that her department are much looking forward to read and steal ideas from.
Miss Charlotte Strange- Subject Leader for English
Miss Strange has a long-standing relationship with The Oxford Academy after starting her PGCE placement in 2008: she has yet to leave and now thoroughly enjoys the roles and responsibilities that Subject Leader has to offer. Miss Strange is completing her final year of a MA in education, which includes a dissertation on strategic intervention in English, focussing on the C/D borderline. The research has already raised some very interesting data about what students value. The Year 11 team are anxious to hear further details from this interesting study.
Mr Robert Reid
Mr Reid joined TOA in September 2010 as a PGCE student. Despite being the only man at the time, Mr Reid decided to return in 2011 as an NQT and now thrives as a fully qualified teacher. Mr Reid’s creative streak means he is often the envy of others in the department for his outstanding visual learning aids. Mr Reid’s core value is the quality of his teaching, and thus, his focus is always on making sure his teaching is of the highest quality: he is frequently the member of the department who suggests innovative ways in which to teach.
Ms Jeanie Swann
Ms Swann joined the department in October 2012 after recently moving to the area. Her main area of interest is linguistics and she is currently completing an MA in language. Ms Swann is also part of our Creativity Team in the English department, co-running the First Story project, and liaising with external agencies to promote the creativity within The Academy. Ms Swann’s own use of ‘learning language’ in her classroom, is not only highly skilled and unique, but something to which the whole department aspires.
Miss Leanne McEneaney
Miss McEneaney joined TOA in July 2012. She had previously completed a PGCE placement with the school and was delighted to return to complete her NQT. Despite being an NQT, Miss McEneaney stands out as one of TOA’s strongest teachers, as her vibrant practice and enthusiasm for her subject are infectious. Miss McEneaney is also part of the Creativity Team, project managing the First Story project, as well as running termly creative writing competitions across the school. She continues to develop from strength to strength and is a huge credit to the English team.
Mrs Erica Robinson- Assistant Head of Pedagogy
Mrs Robinson joined TOA in 2010 and is mainly based within the Year 7 team however her English specialism means that she also teaches a challenging Year 11 group. Mrs Robinson’s role within the school means she has an exceptional understanding of teaching and learning, and is there to support those who may want it. Her first hand experiences with Year 11 mean she is not only a good port for advice, but also an excellent sounding board for issues surrounding student engagment and aspiration. She continues to share her exceptional teaching and learning practice with the English department.
Mr Oliver Hutton
Mr Hutton is the newest member of the team, after joining The Oxford Academy in January 2013. His calm and patient teaching approach means he has already been hailed as a success by some of our more challenging students. Mr Hutton’s musicality will no doubt lead him to add another creative dimension to TOA’s English team, and improve our extra-curriculuar facilities. Mr Hutton is set to follow in the successful path of the other members of the team.
Miss Alison Harris- Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Harris acts as the rock of the department, holding us all together when times are challenging. Having spent the majority of her career at The Academy and its predecessor school, her knowledge of the community and the students is superior to any others. Her active role in supporting our students who find English a challenge is hugely valued by all those who teach English. In conjunction with her proactive role with the students, Miss Harris also organises all the administration within the department, supporting the team in their day-to-day roles. Her input is invaluable.
The English department can be situated on the top floor of the new build, with inspirational views of the Kassam Stadium. Each classroom is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is situated in close proximity to each other. On the other side of the area, is situated the Maths area, which is effective in promoting relations between both core subjects. Also situated in the English area is a kitchenette, a photocopier with all printing and scanning facilities, as well as a “break-out area” which is used for small group work, and drama or discursive based activities. Overall, the English department offers an exceptional team, in an exceptional school, within an exceptional city: a real pleasure to work in.