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Staff
- Mrs F Feron (Head of Department)
- Mrs C McCormick
- Miss H Wright
- Mrs L McMenamin
- Ms B Heaney
- Mrs P Hanna
- Mrs M Orsi
- Miss R Gibson
- Mr M Harrison
English department facilities
The English Department is situated on the ground floor of the school building in close proximity to the School Library. The department enjoys close links with Library which is led by a professionally trained librarian who has curated an attractive collection of popular classic novels and contemporary titles to appeal to all reading tastes. Every classroom is equipped with Apple TV and a Promethean Interactive Whiteboard through which a wide range of specialist software can be accessed.
Background
The English Department at Assumption is committed to providing a stimulating and supportive environment in which pupils feel secure and confident and where they enjoy learning. Within the framework of the school aims, the English Department provides opportunities for each student to reach her full potential. Our aim is to foster a love of reading and to help students develop their communication skills through the spoken and written word. The department adopts a holistic approach to learning by teaching Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening through a range of literary genres. We aim to give students the opportunity to explore the English language while developing their own
Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities at the same time. Students have many opportunities to work with external agencies and the department annually hosts events with visiting poets and writers who come to the school to inspire and share their subject knowledge with the pupils. Our English students frequently enjoy success in many external competitions and engage in enrichment activities ranging from Public Speaking to Filmmaking, Poetry Reading and Creative Writing.
Key Stage 3
Students are encouraged to read for pleasure and they will be introduced to a range of enjoyable and challenging novels at Key Stage 3 to help develop their reading tastes and engage with the world around them. In addition to the class novel, there will be many opportunities at KS3 to study a wide range of non-fiction, poetry, media and drama texts. The Junior Drama Festival is one of the highlights in the school calendar and it gives all our budding actors the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage. Each class will have the opportunity to partake in Class Heats, during which finalists are selected for the Grand Final which is judged by an external independent adjudicator.
The department also offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities at KS3 to enrich the educational experience for our students. Much of this preparation is carried out during the school day and events are organised by teachers and senior prefects. The English Department and Library link with our colleagues in the Science Department to deliver the QUB Project 500 Reading Scheme. Year 9 students partake in this project which encourages the reading of science books for subject knowledge and fun. The department works closely with the library and students are encouraged to join the weekly Book Club which is led by the School Librarian. Students have many opportunities to partake in internal and external competitions and they have enjoyed success in the following areas:
Environmental Youth Speak Public Speaking competition, Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award, Cinemagic Young Filmmaker, Royal Mail Letter Writing Competition, National Poetry Day Prize, Summer Read competition, World Book Day Awards, Arts and Minds Diversity Creative Writing competition and YAFTA (Youth and Future Talent Award) for Innovation and Creativity.
Some photos of our Book Club below:
GCSE
Examining Board: CCEA
Direct link to CCEA GCSE English Literature resources
Course Overview:
The English Literature course aims to encourage students to enjoy the world of fiction and to read, understand and respond sensitively and perceptively to a wide range of literary texts. They learn to appreciate the ways in which authors use language to shape meaning and develop the sound analytical skills required for literary study. Through detailed exploration of prescribed texts, students come to understand the impacts of the social, historical and cultural contexts in which the texts were written, as well as their contemporary relevance.
The table below summarises the structure of this course:
CONTENT | ASSESSEMENT | WEIGHTING | |||
Unit 1: Personal Writing and Reading Multi-Modal Texts |
External examination |
20% | |||
Unit 2: Functional Writing and Reading Non-Fiction |
External examination |
20% |
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Unit 3: Speaking and Listening | Controlled assessment | 20% | |||
Unit 4: Studying Spoken and Written Language and Writing Creatively Task 1 – The Study of Spoken Language (10%) Task 2 – The Study of Written Language (15%) Task 3 – Writing Creatively(15%) |
Controlled assessment | 40% |
GCSE English Language
Examining Board: CCEA
Direct link to CCEA GCSE English Language resources
Course Overview:
GCSE English Language provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing which are necessary to communicate with others confidently and effectively. There are many opportunities for the pupils to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to become critical readers of a wide range of texts. As well as developing their own skills as writers, pupils also gain a greater appreciation of the patterns, structures and conventions of written and spoken English and how these can be adapted to suit a range of purposes and audiences.
The table below summarises the structure of this course:
CONTENT | ASSESSEMENT | WEIGHTING | |||
Unit 1: Personal Writing and Reading Multi-Modal Texts |
External examination |
20% | |||
Unit 2: Functional Writing and Reading Non-Fiction |
External examination |
20% |
|||
Unit 3: Speaking and Listening | Controlled assessment | 20% | |||
Unit 4: Studying Spoken and Written Language and Writing Creatively Task 1 – The Study of Spoken Language (10%) Task 2 – The Study of Written Language (15%) Task 3 – Writing Creatively(15%) |
Controlled assessment | 40% |
Enrichment Activities: Students are encouraged to read for enjoyment and relaxation as a way to switch off from their busy schedules. A Middle School Book Club meets each term so that students can read for pleasure and recommend titles to their peers.
Students enjoy opportunities to review novels for panels such as the Guardian Young Critics and they are also encouraged to pursue their interests in writing by submitting entries to a wide range of external poetry and creative writing competitions. Two students were recent winners in the National NASUWT Arts and Minds competition with winning entries on the theme of ‘Diversity’.
They travelled with their parents and teachers to London to receive their prizes at an award ceremony.
A Level
A Level English Literature.
Examining Board: CCEA
Direct link to CCEA GCE English Language resources.
English Literature at A Level will give students the opportunity to study a wide range of literature texts and explore the contexts in which these were written. Students will be challenged by what they read and enjoy opportunities to debate issues and develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.
Students who study English Literature will develop the ability to articulate creative, informed and perceptive responses to text as well as refine and hone their verbal and written communication skills.
The table below summarises the structure of this course:
CONTENT | ASSESSEMENT | WEIGHTING | |||
AS 1: The Study of Poetry 1900–Present and Drama 1900–Present |
External written examination |
60% of AS 24% of A level | |||
AS 2: The Study of Prose Pre- 1900 |
External written examination |
40% of AS 16% of A level |
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A2 1: Shakespearean Genres |
External written examination |
20% of A level | |||
A2 2: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry |
External written examination |
20% of A level | |||
A2 3: Internal Assessment |
Internal assessment |
20% of A level |
Exam Results
GCSE Results for Year 13 Students 2016 - English language | |||||||
GRADE | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | ||||
A* | 20 | 8 | 11 | ||||
A | 61 | 70 | 58 | ||||
B | 34 | 36 | 38 | ||||
C | 4 | 3 | 11 | ||||
D | |||||||
E | |||||||
U | |||||||
TOTAL NUMBER ENTERED | 119 | 117 | 118 |
GCSE Results for Year 14 Students 2016 - Subject 2 English Literature | |||||||
GRADE | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | ||||
A* | 29 | 25 | 21 | ||||
A | 39 | 48 | 46 | ||||
B | 48 | 40 | 37 | ||||
C | 3 | 4 | 14 | ||||
D | |||||||
E | |||||||
U | |||||||
TOTAL NUMBER ENTERED | 119 | 117 | 118 |
A2 Level Results for Year 14 Students 2016 - Subject 1 English Literature | |||||||
GRADE | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | ||||
A* | 7 | 3 | 5 | ||||
A | 11 | 8 | 10 | ||||
B | 8 | 13 | 15 | ||||
C | 6 | 4 | 6 | ||||
D | 1 | 2 | |||||
E | |||||||
U | |||||||
TOTAL NUMBER ENTERED | 32 | 29 | 38 |