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Subjects

English

Subject Outline

We believe that reading provides pupils with a key to many doors and therefore try to give pupils as many opportunities to read as we can. Some of these opportunities include:

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  • Library Classes

  • Class Libraries

  • Class Novels

We also aim to develop the pupils’ ability to, and understanding of how to communicate through Drama, Media Studies and ICT and offer the pupils a variety of opportunities to be involved in drama activities as well as studying advertising, spoken language and multi-model texts.

In Key Stage 4 pupils follow a GCSE course in English Language. We currently use the CCEA Specification. Through this pupils enhance the skills developed at Key Stage 3 and are given opportunities to see live theatre performances as well as receiving guidance through after school English Clubs and Coursework Help Clubs.

Staff

Mrs N Saunders
Mrs C Rankin
Miss L Dunn

KS3

English is a core subject, which pupils must engage with in some form until the end of Key Stage 4. Therefore, our focus in the English Department at Key Stage Three is to develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment for the subject. As such, pupils study a wide range of novels, poetry, literature, media texts, spoken language texts and engage with a variety of speaking and listening activities. In addition our aim is to help pupils to acquire the skills base and understanding designed to enable them to reach their full potential in the subject, both at Key Stage Three and beyond.

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Pupils in Year 8 and 9 will be engaging with the Accelerated Reading Programme for at least one period a week in English. This provides pupils with the opportunity to participate in an interactive reading programme which encourages a love of reading in our pupils, while also furthering their reading skills. We look forward to building on the success of last year with this year’s young readers!

KS4

At Key Stage 4, pupils will follow either of the following two pathways, depending on their needs and skills:

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  1. Essential Skills English

  2. GCSE English  

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Course Content

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GCSE English Language examined by CCEA, builds on the broad objectives of the Northern Ireland Curriculum to test pupils in each of the following three areas of attainment:

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  1. Reading

  2. Writing

  3. Speaking and Listening

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The information below summarises the content of the GCSE English Language course:

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  1. Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading Access Non-fiction and Media Texts

  2. Unit 2: Speaking and Listening

  3. Unit 3: Studying Spoken and Written Language

  4. Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-fiction texts

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The Essential Skills course undertaken in Year 11 is OCN Entry Level Essential Skills in Literacy. This involves assessment in the following key elements:

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  1. Exam Unit - Reading and Writing Skills

  2. One to One Interview – Reading and Speaking and Listening

  3. Group Discussion – Speaking and Listening

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In Year 12, Essential Skills pupils study for OCN Essential Skills in Communication Level 1. The following assessment units will be undertaken:

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  1. Exam Unit - Reading and writing

  2. Speaking and listening tasks

GCSE Clubs

Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils are welcome at the Library Club run by Mrs Smyth and Mrs Crothers two lunch times a week.

GCSE English pupils are encouraged to attend Mrs Rankin’s after school English Help Club on Mondays.

Homeworks

Types of Homework:

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  • Written

  • Learning

  • Preparation for Speaking & Listening tasks

  • Research

  • Reading

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11 Homeworks in Year 8

11 Homeworks in Year 9

11 Homeworks in Year 10

11 Homeworks in Year 11

12 Homeworks in Year 12

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