English | St Pats Maghera

English

Welcome To The English Department

English is a core subject within the curriculum as it incorporates the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening; developing the essential skills all students require to prepare them for the future world of work.

English Department: Staff

Mrs Laura Brown - Head of Department

Mr Philip Crawford

Mrs Emma-Rose Digney - Literacy Co-ordinator

Mrs Michaela King

Mrs Kathryn McAteer

Mr Gerard McCabe

Ms Catherine Morrison

Mrs Mary Nolan

Mrs Mairin Paden

Mr Robert Scott

English Department: Aims

We as a department aim to:

nurture a life-long love of reading
introduce pupils to a range of literary texts and genres
develop pupils’ ability to express themselves clearly, logically, creatively and confidently
improve the confidence, self-belief and aspirations of all pupils
provide pupils with opportunities for self-expression and creativity through creative writing, critical writing, public speaking and debating

English Department: Subject Overview

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, pupils follow a varied and challenging programme of work that nurtures all three strands of the curriculum: reading, writing, speaking & listening. Pupils study a wide range of literature (Poetry, Prose and Drama) as well as non-literary and media texts. The embedding and development of literacy skills is paramount throughout Key Stage 3. Reading for pleasure is also highly encouraged and developed through Accelerated Reader.
Speaking and listening tasks are incorporated into all year groups to develop and enhance their skills for both GCSE and future life.
Our Key Stage 3 English programme is designed to be exciting, innovative and challenging and is delivered over seven lessons per fortnight.

Year 8

In Year 8, pupils study a variety of novels, creative writing, ‘Myths and legends’ poetry, persuasive writing as well as non-fiction and media-based work. It is our aim to bridge the gap between KS2 and KS3 by building on and developing their skills in a fun, yet challenging way.

Year 9

In Year 9, pupils study an introduction to Heaney poetry, creative writing, a variety of novels, non-fiction work and finish the year with a media-based movie trailer task.

Year 10

In Year 10, pupils begin the preparations for their GCSE in English language and literature. The skills necessary for the GCSE course are developed in a holistic way with a particular focus on unseen prose, creative writing, poetry, spoken language and non-fiction texts. Pupils also study a range of short stories and novels.

Below is a suggested list of 19th Century authors for GSCE English Literature. We recommend that year 10 pupils read some of their work. This will be invaluable preparation for next year:

Louisa May Alcott
Hans Christian Anderson
Jane Austen
Charlotte Bronte
Emily Bronte
Lewis Carroll
Charles Dickens
Arthur Conan Doyle
Alexandre Dumas
George Eliot
Thomas Hardy

Victor Hugo
James Joyce
Rudyard Kipling
C.S. Lewis
Edgar Allen Poe
Mary Shelley
Robert Louis Stevenson
Bram Stoker
Mark Twain
Oscar Wilde

Key Stage 4

Subjects taught at G.C.S.E:

English Language (CCEA)

English Literature (CCEA)

Essential Skills: Communication Levels 1 and 2 (OCN)

GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Texts (30%)

Formal assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 11. Opportunities to repeat this exam, if needed, are available in January or June of year 12.

Unit 2: Speaking and Listening – Controlled Assessment (20%)

This unit is assessed in the form of Controlled Assessment. Assessment of this unit will take place throughout Year 11 and Year 12.

Unit 3: Studying Spoken and written Language – Controlled Assessment (20%)

This unit is assessed in the form of Controlled Assessment. Pupils will have a total of 2 hours to complete the two assessments for this unit. Assessment of this unit will take place throughout Year 11 for pupils following the combined course, while pupils studying only English Language will complete one assessment per year.Pupils’ work in this unit will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts (30%)

Formal assessment of this unit will take place during January of year 12. Opportunities to repeat this exam, if needed, are available in June.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

Unit 1: The Study of Prose (30%)

Section A: Novel ( ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck)

In this section, pupils explore and respond to the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck. The Section A component of the examination lasts 1 hour and is worth 20% of the marks for this qualification. Pupils answer one question from a choice of two on the novel.

Section B: Unseen Prose

In this section, pupils explore, respond to, and learn how to analyse and evaluate an unseen nineteenth-century prose extract.

The Section B part of the examination lasts 45 minutes and is worth 10% of the marks for this qualification.

This unit is assessed in the form of a closed-book written examination. Pupils will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete both sections for this unit.

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 11. Opportunities for repeats, if needed, are available at the end of year 12.

Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry (50%)

Section A: Drama (25%) (‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley)

In this section, pupils explore and respond to the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley. Assessment for this unit is a written examination at the end of Year 12 which lasts 2 hours.

The Section A part of the examination lasts 1 hour and is worth 25% of the marks for this qualification. Pupils are permitted to bring an unannotated copy of their chosen play into the examination. They answer one question from a choice of two.

Section B: Poetry (25%)

In this section, pupils explore and respond to a collection of poems they have studied in the ‘Identity’ anthology provided by CCEA. They learn how to analyse, evaluate, and compare and contrast.

The Section B part of the examination lasts 1 hour and is worth 25% of the marks for this qualification. Pupils are permitted to bring an unannotated copy of their chosen anthology into the examination. There is a choice of two questions on each anthology and pupils must answer one.

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 12 and is worth 50%. Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.

Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare – Controlled Assessment (25%)

Set Text: ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare

In this unit, pupils explore and respond to a Shakespeare play they have studied. They communicate their knowledge and understanding of the play.

This unit is assessed in the form of Controlled Assessment. Pupils will have 2 hours to complete their response to a given question.

Assessment of this unit will take place during Year 12. Pupils’ work in this unit will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

CCEA GCSE English Language Specification

CCEA GCSE English Literature Specification

Essential Skills Communication: Levels 1 & 2 (OCN)

OCN NI’s Essential Skills qualification in Communication is tailored specifically to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to hit the ground running in the world of work.

Similar to the GCSE English Language course, level 1 and level 2 communication compromises of 2 components:

Reading and writing Exam

Internally-assessed Speaking and Listening

Pupils must pass both components in order to secure an overall pass level. Unlike GCSE examinations, however, learners will have a number of opportunities during the academic year to sit the exam. Opportunities for repeat entries, if needed, are available.

OCNNI Essential Skills Communication Specification

Key Stage 5

Examination Board: CCEA

Overview: GCE English Literature gives students the opportunity to study a wide range of literature and different genres: drama, poetry and prose. Through independent and critical reading, students develop their interest and enjoyment in literary studies and become accomplished, discerning readers.

At AS and A2 Level, English Literature is delivered over eleven lessons per fortnight.

Course Content and Assessment:

At AS Level, students must successfully complete two modules:

AS 1 The Study of Poetry 1900–Present and Drama 1900–Present:

In this module, worth 60% of AS and 24% of the A2 grade, pupils study the poetry of Robert Frost and Seamus Heaney, as well as the play ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller.

AS 2 The Study of Prose Pre-1900:

In this module, worth 40% of AS and 16% of theA2 grade, pupils study the novel ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley.

At A2 level, students must successfully complete three modules (each contributing 20% towards the final grade):

A2 1 Shakespearean Genres

In this module, students study the Shakespearean tragedy ‘King Lear’.

A2 2 The Study of Poetry Pre-1900 and Unseen Poetry

In this module, students study the poetry of William Blake and unseen poetry.

A2 3: Internal Assessment

In this module, which is internally-assessed through a 2500 word essay, students complete a focused comparison of two novels on a select theme. This module is designed as an independent study.

CCEA GCE English Literature Specification

English Department: Careers

The study of English and English Literature develops important transferable skills relevant to many career pathways:

Journalism (Print and Broadcast)
Law
Publishing
Advertising and Marketing
Lexicographer
Copyeditor/proof-reader
Teaching (Including English as a foreign language)
Author
Public Relations

English Department:

Educational Visits & Trips

The English Department contributes to a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including competitions and educational visits. Some of these include:

Year 8 Hallowe’en Event
Scholastic Annual KS3 Book Fair
World Book Day
Concern Worldwide Debating Competition
Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition
Educational Visits to Seamus Heaney HomePlace
BBC Young Reporter
Creative Writing and Poetry Competitions
Visiting authors
University Lecture Series for A-Level English Literature

English Department: Gallery