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Personnel:
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Mrs C Reid
Mrs E McBride (Literacy co-ordinator)
Ms McCaughan (Head of Performing Arts)
Mrs Hamilton
Mrs Moore
Mr Lyons
Mr Macdonald
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We believe that the study of English should develop the ability of pupils to achieve their full potential to, communicate effectively, appropriately / accurately in speech and in written form; should promote understanding and imaginative responses to what they hear, read and experience in a variety of media; and foster their appreciation and enjoyment of the subject in all forms.
This ability will not only equip pupils for adult life and employment; it will also enrich their personal lives and that of their community.
Aims
• To provide learning opportunities for pupils to develop as individuals, contributors to society, the economy and the environment.
• To provide a learning environment where pupils are encouraged to develop communication skills and provide opportunities for pupils to explore how the attitudes and actions of individuals can impact on other people’s lives.
• To develop literacy to ensure every child leaves with the skills they need to achieve their best.
• To foster a love of literature across all genres. We want to see our pupils develop and apply their critical faculties to what they read in literature, both fiction and non-fiction, while ensuring reading for pleasure is of paramount importance.
• To provide pupils with opportunities to appreciate and use language for a range of functional and creative purposes.
• To train our pupils to use ICT, books and media texts in order to gain knowledge and skills relevant to their purposes and needs. To develop pupils’ ability to shape and deconstruct messages in print and digital forms. |
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KEY STAGE 3
In Years 8-10 there is a common programme of learning and assessment where pupils develop skills in the three key areas:
• speaking and listening
• reading
• writing
Our experienced members of staff have high expectations of all pupils and employ effective, high quality classroom teaching to facilitate learning.
We encourage pupils to develop their learning through reading, using:
• Reading record books
• Reading Olympics
• Scholastic Cover 2 Cover Book Club
• All English classrooms have a class library
• Designated reading period once a fortnight
• Author visits
Paula Rawsthorne visits Carrickfergus Grammar School.
The school was delighted to welcome one of our most exciting teenage fiction writers to talk to our Year 9 and 10 students about her novel, “The Truth About Celia Frost.”
Paula Rawsthorne’s talent for writing has already seen her become an award- winner. One of her first stories won the BBC’s 2004 Get Writing Competition and was read by Bill Nighy on Radio 4.
The Truth About Celia Frost has also led to Paula becoming one of the winners of the Undiscovered Voices competition.
Paula enthralled the pupils with vivid recollections of inspirations for her writing and encouraged them all to try to write about some of their own special memories.
The question and answer session which followed reinforced how inspiring her talk had been and many of the pupils proudly left , holding their very own signed copy, ready to find out more.
Booked Up Programme
The charity Booktrust offered the school to take up the opportunity to get our Year 8 pupils involved in reading by allowing pupils to choose their own free copy of a teenage fiction book from a selection of twelve.
The pupils (and staff) thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to hear pupils , on the accompanying DVD review each of the books and pupils selected their choice on the basis of the review and the magazine blurb.
The books were eagerly received and two of our pupils , Joshua Boyd and Karis Black reviewed their books for the NEELB at the Booktrust Evaluation. Their thoroughly engaging reviews will now be used by the trust in future promotions. Well done to them both!
Writing
Common assessment tasks are given to pupils throughout the key stage to encourage pupils to develop their mechanical and creative writing skill. Written work is displayed, constructively assessed and recorded in a variety of forms, to encourage pupils to recognise the rich diversity of types of writing.
Pupils written work is also used for school publications, such as the Young Writers Anthology, awarded an English Writing Award or entered for competitions.
Two Year 10 pupils won the International Women’s Award, for their excellent accounts of women in their lives who had inspired them.
Speaking and Listening
Pupils in all year groups are given the opportunity to discuss and listen to the opinions and ideas of other. We encourage pupils to be open to new ideas and challenge their own and other views, through sustained listening and sensitive contributions.
In addition to drama activities, pupils will also have formally assessed presentations.
The school has a growing Drama Department, led by Ms McCaughan, who is also a member of the English Department. |
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GCSE English Language
Currently pupils sit the course specification awarded by CCEA. Full details of the course can be found at www.ccea.org.
In addition to high quality classroom teaching and learning, pupils are also given the opportunity to attend revision courses. Pupils are given targets and asked to work with staff and others to ensure they attain their goal. Staff expect pupils to give their best in all aspects of the course. Currently virtually all GCSE pupils are scheduled to see the West End production of “Blood Brothers” in The Grand Opera House in Belfast.
GCSE English Literature
Pupils take the CCEA GCSE English Literature course, where again agreed targets are set and pupils are expected to strive to consistently give their best, both in class and at home, in order to attain their potential.
There are a range of study texts available to supplement the independent study necessary at this stage. Opportunities are also offered to see plays in performance, currently virtually all of our GCSE pupils are scheduled to see the West End production of “Blood Brothers” in The Grand Opera House in Belfast. |
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AS and A2 English Literature
We are delighted to see the continued enthusiasm for literature and seek to continually support pupils as they explore a wide range of literary texts, ranging from Chaucer to Salinger. The full range of texts is available to view on the CCEA website.
At this level consistent, detailed, independent study is integral to success. Pupils are expected to critically explore the contexts, method and craft of every examined writer.
Again our staff continuously support and foster pupils learning through best classroom practice and affording opportunities to attend a range of revision conferences . A wealth of critical material is also available within the department for pupils to supplement learning. |
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Careers
There are a myriad of careers available to those with qualifications in English. make sure you read the detailed careers information in each of the English classrooms.
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