English Language

Mrs S. Campbell-Hanna- Head of Department

Mrs C. Irwine

Miss M. Elliott

Mrs B. MacManus

Miss K. Kelly

Aim of department:

We, the English department in Strabane Academy, hope to instil, nurture and develop a wide variety of communication skills in our pupils. Communication skills are a vital tool that all our young people should be equipped with in today’s society, now more so than ever. With the increasing presence of the media, the ever-present political dialogue, the advent of ‘fake news’ and the encroachment of social media on the lives of today’s children, it is essential that we teach our pupils skills of analysis, interpretation, inference and empathy for people whose lives, represented through fiction and non-fiction, are very different from our own. These are the goals we will help our pupils pursue throughout their studies in English at Strabane Academy.

Timetable allocation:

Key Stage 3	Key Stage 4	Key Stage 5
6-8 periods per week	6-7 periods per week	9 periods per week

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Key Themes

Year 8	Term 1	Fiction – The novel E.g. War HorsePoetry – Focus on School and The Butterfly Lion
	Term 2	Poetry – Focus on School
	Term 3	Non-fiction – Advertising – Products
Year 9	Term 1	Fiction – The novel E.g. Private Peaceful
	Term 2	Poetry – Focus on The Natural World
	Term 3	Non-fiction – Advertising-Movie Poster and trailer
Year 10	Term 1	Fiction – The novel E.g. Noughts and Crosses and To Kill a Mockingbird
	Term 2	Poetry – Focus on Heaney and childhood
	Term 3	Non-fiction – Advertising – Leaflets

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Exam Board CCEA

Overview

Every pupil in Strabane Academy will study GCSE English Language (CCEA). This is an essential qualification required by the vast majority of employers and third level educational institutions. This course will be studied over a two-year period and pupils are encouraged to explore and respond, both imaginatively and critically, to a variety of texts. Students use reading to improve their writing skills. They also enhance their understanding of how language variations relate to identity and cultural diversity. Transferable skills such as selecting and adapting speech and writing to suit different situations and audiences will also be developed.
From 2017, pupils have the opportunity to achieve a recognition of achievement in Functional English.

The specification provides a sound basis for progression to further study, higher education or employment. This qualification can lead to careers in the media, advertising or marketing and, with further study, teaching or law.

Year 11	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
	Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts	External examination	30%	January and Summer
	Unit 2: Speaking and Listening	Controlled Assessment	20%	January and Summer
	Unit 3: Studying Written Language	Controlled Assessment	10%	January and Summer

Exam Board CCEA

Year 12	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
	Unit 3: Studying Spoken Language	Controlled Assessment	10%
	Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts.	External examination	30%	Spring and summer

Extra-Curricular:

All Year 8 pupils participate in the Accelerated Reader Programme in which they read specially selected books, take online quizzes and are rewarded for their participation and successes.
We participate each year in the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children’s ‘Read On’ where Year 8 pupils hold a reading week.
Every year pupils have the opportunity to take part in the school production; past showstopper have “Cinderella” and “Joseph”.
World Book Day takes place annually and its main aim is to encourage young people to explore the enjoyment of reading. It is celebrated throughout the school with polls, quizzes, guest speakers and more!
Critical Media Literacy Project- KS3 pupils participate in an 8-week project developing their critical reading skills using The Irish News.
Children’s Books Ireland Awards- A group of enthusiastic readers from KS3 read and vote on their favourite book from new writers.
Writers’ Web- an online club in which enthusiastic writers come together to share their creative stories, poems and plays. Our students’ work is entered for a wide variety of creative writing competitions.
Pupils can order books throughout the year from the Scholastic bookshop.
KS5 pupils visit the Seamus Heaney Home Place and attend lectures at Queen’s University.
Theatre trips are frequently organised and have included recently pupils attending performances of Macbeth and An Inspector Calls.

Careers Links:

English Language and Literature are subjects that helps to develop many important skills and attributes. The close reading skills required help to develop both powers of analysis and independence of thought. As well as the more obvious professions of teaching and journalism, there are many others for which the study of English is an excellent preparation. Recently qualified students have gone to university to study a variety of subjects including: English Literature, Teaching, Fashion and Communication, SEN and Early Childhood Education, Computer Science, International Politics and Conflict Studies, Social Work, Biology, History, Health Studies, Drama, Criminology, Psychology, Law, Linguistics, Sociology and Speech and Language.

English Literature

Aim of department

Pupils in Pathway 1 will study GCSE English Literature (CCEA). This course encourages pupils to be enthusiastic, independent, imaginative, critical and analytical readers. Through interactive and specifically developed resources we aim to increase their enjoyment of reading, helping to nurture a lifelong love of literature. The course deepens pupils’ knowledge and understanding of a range of poetry, prose and drama, including texts by local and modern writers. Pupils explore the impact of language, structure and form in the texts. Connecting the texts’ ideas, themes and issues is another key focus. Pupils also learn how to explain settings, characters and themes creatively through social, cultural and historical contexts. They develop their ability to research, plan and prepare their responses using their own ideas and interests, as well as critical reading.

Timetable allocation:

Key Stage 4	Key Stage 5
7 periods per week	8 periods per week

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Exam Board CCEA

Overview

Pupils following the Dennett Pathway will have an opportunity to study GCSE English literature. This course will be studied over a two-year period and pupils will be encouraged to: become critical readers of prose, drama and poetry; develop the ability to analyse the impact of language, structure and form in a range of texts; connect ideas, themes and issues in a range of texts; explore contexts and experience different times, cultures, viewpoints and situations in texts; and read for enjoyment and nurture a lifelong love of literature.

Year 11	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
Year 11	Unit 1: The Study of Prose	External written examination	30%	Summer

Exam Board CCEA

Year 12	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
	Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry	External written examination	50%	Summer
	Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare	Unit 3: Controlled assessment	20%	Summer

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Exam Board CCEA

Overview

Pupils will: study a wide range of interesting texts include modern, female, local authors and poets; study the Shakespearean genre: tragedy, comedy, problem or last plays; and complete an in-depth comparative study of two novels as coursework. Pupils will explore a wide range of literary texts written by Irish writers as well as literature from around the world. Pupils read texts from the canon alongside those of more modern writers. They learn about different critical approaches and how texts can reflect cultural meanings. Through engaging with a wide and challenging range of texts, pupils develop their interest in and enjoyment of literature. They also develop the skills of critical thinking, research and analysis, all of which are valued in further education as well as in the workplace.

Year 13	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
	AS 1: The Study of Poetry 1900–Present and Drama 1900–Present	External written examination	60% of AS 24% of A level	Summer
	AS 2: The Study of Prose Pre 1900	External written examination	40% of AS 16% of A level	Summer

Exam Board CCEA

Year 14	Unit Title	Assessment	Weighting	Availability
	A2 1: Shakespearean Genres	External written examination	20% of A level	Summer
	A2 2: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry	External written examination	20% of A level	Summer
	A2 3: Internal Assessment	Internal assessment Students complete a 2500-word essay.	20% of A level	Summer