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English

Staff in the Department
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Head of English: Mrs K. Kennedy
English Teachers: Miss C. Humphries, Mr J. McCoy, Mrs Scott-Palmer, Miss L. Hanna

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN IN YEARS 8-10?

The curriculum in Years 8-10 is based upon the SELB Language Framework which allows pupils to progress through the three years. The overall structure of the framework is based on a model of language which describes text, sentence and word level knowledge, understanding and skills. The teaching strategies include a balance between modelled, shared, guided and independent work. The units of work also provide a balance between talking, listening and reading and writing of different kinds of texts.

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Year 8 Units of Work:

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  • You and Your Experiences                                            

  • Fiction Writing

  • Introduction to Poetry

  •  ‘Refugee Boy’ by Benjamin Zephaniah

  • Reading Non-Fiction

 

Year 9 Units of Work:

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  • ‘Across the Barricades’ Joan Lingard

  • Narrative Structure

  • Ballads

  • Newspapers

  • Reading Film
     

Year 10 Units of Work:

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  • ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’

  • Persuasive Writing

  • Romeo and Juliet

  • Advertising

  • Poetry of Seamus Heaney

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN AT GCSE LEVEL?

In Years 11 and 12 GCSE English Language is studied by all pupils. 

 

Communication is a very important aspect of everyday life and is the foundation for good relationships. Undoubtedly, technology in the 21st century has transformed how pupils communicate locally and globally but it is still essential that English can be used properly. The purpose of CCEA English is to enable pupils to foster effective skills in: Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening. These are skills in which employers place increasing importance.

 

Aims


This specification aims to encourage pupils to:

  • demonstrate skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing necessary to communicate with others   confidently, effectively, precisely and appropriately;

  • express themselves creatively and imaginatively;

  • become critical readers of a range of texts, including demonstrate skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing necessary to communicate with others confidently, effectively, precisely and appropriately;

  • express themselves creatively and imaginatively;

  • become critical readers of a range of texts, including multi-modal texts;

  • use reading to develop their own skills as writers;

  • understand the patterns, structures and conventions of written and spoken English;

  • understand the impact of variations in spoken and written language and how they relate to identity and cultural diversity; and

  • select and adapt speech and writing to different situations and audience

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Key Features:


This is a unitised specification, allowing pupils flexibility in preparing for assessment; pupils can enter for a unit when they are ready to be assessed and can resit each unit individually.
 

The table below summarises the structure of this GCSE course.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

In Years 11 and 12 English Literature is an option for pupils. The Exam Board we use for GCSE English Literature is CCEA.

 

English Literature is a means by which pupils can explore and discover their cultural heritage, history and society. It is an opportunity to study plays, poems and novels allowing pupils to develop powers of reasoning and helping them form personal opinions and feelings. This subject will open their minds to many different worlds and could lead to careers in journalism and other aspects of media, marketing, advertising, the legal profession, librarianship, managing information and many others.

 

Key Features


This is now a unitised specification, allowing pupils flexibility in preparing for assessment. Pupils can enter for a unit when they are ready to be assessed and can resit each unit individually.
 

  • It helps facilitate the study of English Literature and related subjects at a more advanced level, for example A and AS English Literature, English Language, English Language and Literature, and advanced courses in Communication.

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Aims


This course allows pupils the opportunity to develop the following skills:

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  • developing and sustaining independent interpretations of whole texts, supporting them with detailed textual references;

  •  analysing connections between texts, comparing and contrasting features and qualities that connect and contrast the presentation of themes, characters and settings;

  • analysing the impact of style, language, structure and form;

  •  relating texts to their social and historical contexts, and to the literary traditions of which they are a part; and understanding how texts from the literary heritage have been influential and significant over time.

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Pupils can use texts that they are studying for GCSE English Literature as the stimulus for GCSE English Language controlled assessment tasks.

The table below summarises the structure of this GCSE course:

OTHER INFORMATION

As well as following the curriculum, pupils are encouraged to participate in extra activities as the opportunities arise. These may include:

 

  • Pupils have the opportunity to purchase books at the Scholastic Book Fair. Pupils can also win books by taking part in competitions.
     

  • Every year, Year 9 pupils take part in ‘Read-On’ in aid of Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Each pupil makes a pledge to read as many books as possible within a set time frame. They ask for sponsorship from friends and family.
     

  • Pupils in Year 8 and 9 take part in the Accelerated Reader Programme. This helps to motivate pupils for learning and reading becomes a challenge. Prizes are awarded at the end of the summer term.
     

  • Visiting speakers
    Mr. Peter Cardwell addressed Year 11 pupils about interview skills in preparation for CA on Spoken Language.
    Mr. Mark Carruthers BBC encouraged Year 10 pupils at the beginning of a Speaking and Listening Activity Day.
     

  • BBC News Day
     

  • Poetry and Writing Competitions
     

  • Theatre trips / cinema trips

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