"Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity" - P.T. Barnum
At Westside we aim to develop your skills, explore language and encourage creativity in English. We believe in fostering a deep appreciation for literature and language. Our dedicated team of educators is committed to providing an enriching learning experience that empowers students to express themselves confidently through writing, speaking, and critical analysis.
We feel strongly that English is not simply a subject learnt in school, but something that translates into everyone’s lives outside the classroom. It encourages better communication and an understanding of human nature.
Through our comprehensive curriculum, students engage with a diverse range of texts, from classic literature to contemporary works, allowing them to broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of the world around them. We cultivate a supportive learning environment where every student is encouraged to voice their opinions, ask questions, and explore their unique interests in English.
With a focus on developing essential skills such as communication, comprehension, and creative thinking, our English department equips students with the tools they need to succeed both academically and beyond. Whether they are crafting compelling essays, participating in lively discussions, or honing their presentation skills, students at Westside are empowered to unlock their full potential and become confident, articulate communicators.
Join us on a journey of discovery, imagination, and self-expression in the world of English at Westside Secondary School. Together, let's inspire a lifelong love of learning and language.
Department Staffing
Ms M Bosano - Head of English (Acting Head of year 12 and 13)
Mrs N Massetti - Acting Head of English
Mrs Z Porter
Ms C Trinidad
Ms J Montegriffo
Mrs N Mena
Mrs D Whitfield Grimes - Acting Assistant to Head of English
Mrs A Murien
Miss C Polson
Miss F Makey
Mrs K Griffiths
Mrs L Shaw
Miss S Bensadon
Mr L Pitaluga
Mr P Pitaluga
Miss K Monteverde
Initiatives
Writer of the Week
The Writer of the Week project is designed to celebrate and showcase the writing achievements of our students. Each week, one outstanding writer from our school community is selected based on their creativity, originality and commitment to excellence in writing.
This project not only highlights the talent and hard work of our students, it also encourages a love for writing and literacy across all year groups. By acknowledging and honouring exceptional writing, we aim to inspire and motivate our students to hone their writing skills and express themselves through their writing. The Writer of the Week project is, therefore, a platform from which to recognise and celebrate the diverse voices and talents of our students, fostering an environment where creativity and self-expression are valued and encouraged.
Year 7 Letter writing project
Our Year 7s have been busy working on their letter writing skills by writing letters to Year 6 students at Bishop Fitzgerald and St Bernard’s Upper Primary Schools about their experience of transitioning to Secondary School.
The Royal Gibraltar Post Office visited us to collect our letters and deliver them to the middle schools- we are now eagerly awaiting their reply!
GBC Trip
This half term our Year 7s have been working on Identity in the Media. We’ve looked at how language can be used to persuade others, and hopefully opened their eyes a little to the truth behind the world of media and advertising.
Each student in each class was asked to design an advert for a product. The best one or two adverts from each class were given a reward: a trip to GBC and a chance to film their advert in a real studio.
On Tuesday 6th February GBC hosted our lucky winners. Our students took a tour of the GBC premises and finally had the chance to film their adverts in the studio. GBC is in the process of compiling their work and will be sending us their adverts- so watch this space!
It was a fantastic experience. Our students did us proud, both because of their brilliant behaviour, but also with their enthusiasm and incredible improvisation skills- we may have a few budding TV presenters in our midst!
KS3 Lego Reading Challenge
During the Summer term, KS3 students participated in a Lego reading challenge. The challenge sparked a love for reading, fostered a sense of community among classmates, and ignited a passion for lifelong learning.
World Book Day
World Book Day holds a special place in our hearts. It's a celebration of the transformative power of literature. Books are so much more than just words on a page; they are portals to new worlds, windows to diverse cultures, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and creativity. Witnessing the joy of reading within our students is a privilege, and as teachers, we cherish the opportunity to guide them on this journey of discovery, nurturing their love for learning and the written word. Let's continue to inspire and empower the next generation through the magic found within the pages of a book!
Miles Salter Year 9 journalism workshop
Monday 11th writer Miles Salter spoke to our entire Year 9 cohort about his journey through journalism. Our classes really enjoyed the zoom calls and it sparked some brilliant conversations. It's made the news more tangible to our students and really got them thinking.
Clubs
Creative Writing club - Friday Lunch with Ms Bosano
Our creative writing club is for people who enjoy writing and want to explore different ways of being creative in their writing away from the classroom. We use picture prompts, inspiration from existing genres, characters or favourite authors. We've explored writing from our own memory and writing as a way to remove stress. We have also explored different genres and script writing.
It's a club for pupils who find writing fun, creative and a way to express themselves. We often combine writing with illustration and it's open to any student from any year group.
KS3 Bookclub
Every first and last Wednesday of the month, run by Miss Makey and a group of Year 12 students in Room 215 at lunch.
The KS3 Bookclub (for students in Years 7-9) aims to foster a love of reading for pleasure. At the start of each month, Miss Makey sets a theme and students will then choose a book to read and discuss on the last week of the month, often from our fantastic school library. Our discussions are informal and fun - we do more than just read at Bookclub! We often design trendy book reviews, make collages and host quizzes and games too. Bookclub is a safe space for students to express themselves as much or as little as they wish, and share their love of reading with no judgement.
Banned Book Club (A Level)
This club is targeted for Year 12 & 13 students who want to explore texts outside the realms of the syllabus and beyond the assessment objectives required for them in their exams. They do not need to be studying English A Level to attend, last year one of our most active participants was a staunch STEM girl (but very well read!).
This term we hope to explore the likes of T.S.Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Dante's Inferno, American corruption in Death of a Salesman, Maya Angelou's poetry, Woolf's To The Lighthouse and much more. We also look at texts that complement their course such as Of Mice and Men, and other American Literature.