Over the last academic year, The Whitstable School's DDP membership has had a strong and positive impact on the wider English department. Janet, who attended the English Subject Enrichment Residential in 2024, developed her subject knowledge, confidence and pedagogical skills through the residential and access to high-quality Staffroom resources and shared these insights with colleagues. This helped empower teachers across the department to feel more confident as subject advocates and to enrich their curriculum planning.
The strategies introduced, such as drama-based engagement, performing poetry aloud and more structured group work increased challenge and improved students’ independence and analytical skills. Their DDP learning also informed the revision of several schemes of learning, ensuring pupils of all backgrounds were introduced to diverse, demanding and culturally rich texts such as The Crucible, Purple Hibiscus and themed poetry collections.
By sharing PTI ideas, this has contributed to departmental CP, promoting reflective discussion and supporting less experienced teachers to lead. This strengthened collaboration, improved marking consistency and raised expectations across the department. Beyond the classroom, enrichment activities, including theatre trips, competitions and wider reading initiatives helped extend pupils’ engagement with challenging material.
Overall, the department's work with The PTI has strengthened curriculum quality, supported staff development and ensured that all pupils access an ambitious and enriching English education.