English

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Staff

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• 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

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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

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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 Higher Tier 1 hour 30 mins		20%
Unit 2: Functional Writing and Reading Non-Fiction	External examination Higher Tier 1 hour 30 mins		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 2 hours Students answer two questions, one from Section A and one from Section B. Section A is open book. Section B is closed book.		60% of AS 24% of A level
AS 2: The Study of Prose Pre- 1900	External written examination 1 hour Students answer one question. Closed book		40% of AS 16% of A level
A2 1: Shakespearean Genres	External written examination 1 hour 30 mins Students answer one question. Closed book		20% of A level
A2 2: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry	External written examination 2 hours Students answer two questions, one from Section A and the question set in Section B. Closed book		20% of A level
A2 3: Internal Assessment	Internal assessment Students complete a 2500-word essay.		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