English
Members of the Department
Mrs Gallagher (Leader of English and Literacy)
Miss Livingstone (Literacy Co-ordinator)
Ms Coakley
Miss Bready
Miss Conere
Mr Lynch
Mr Curran
Mrs Spence (Literacy Support)
Aims
Our aim is to foster students’ passion and enthusiasm for language and literature. We cultivate students’ critical and creative thinking skills through opportunities for collaborative and independent learning. We encourage students to interpret the written and spoken word and to reflect on the significance of purpose and audience. Communication skills are vital – we encourage students to ask questions, to challenge viewpoints, to interrogate data and to present information. We inspire students to achieve their full potential, to strive for excellence and to take pride in their success.
The English Department creates a stimulating environment that celebrates our love for the subject. Each teacher in the department nurtures respectful, supportive relationships with students that underpin our work. We encourage students to explore a wide range of stimuli, investigating a wealth of literature, non-fiction and media sources. Our subject knowledge lends itself to continual renewal of resources and approaches to engage students - audio-visual interpretations of the written word and the thrill of live theatre enhance students’ experience.
KS3
Our programmes of study at Key Stage 3 follow the Northern Ireland revised curriculum for English and Media Education and provide opportunities to explore thought-provoking themes. The programmes include:
Year 8: All About Me; Friendship, Relationships, Change; Media Education.
Year 9: Moral and ethical decision making; Magic and Enchantment; Media Education.
Year 10: Exploration of Dystopian Literature, Creating Dystopian Worlds; News and Media; Twentieth Century Literature - springboard to GCSE English Language and Literature.
KS4
GCSE English Language
All of our Year 11 and 12 students fulfil the requirements of CCEA’s GCSE English Language specification:
Unit 1 Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Text 30%
Unit 2 Speaking & Listening 20%
Unit 3 Studying Spoken and Written Language 20%
Unit 4 Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-fiction Text 30%
GCSE English Literature
We also guide Year 11 and 12 students to meet the demands of CCEA’s GCSE English Literature specification:
Unit 1 The Study of Prose 30%
Unit 2 The Study of Drama and Poetry 50%
Unit 3 The Study of Shakespeare 20%
Post-16
AS/A2 English Literature
At AS, we celebrate the work of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Brian Friel and Mary Shelley. At A2, we explore the work of John Donne, Shakespeare and a range of other writers.
At A2, students also experience valuable opportunities to select prose texts outside the set course content and to write independent critical interpretations of the writer’s ideas and techniques and the significance of the context.
Reading for Pleasure
Each Year 8, 9 and 10 student has opportunities to read for pleasure. Students work towards achievement of personal Reading targets.
You can download our ‘Recommended Reads’ for Years 8, 9 and 10 below.
Students have extensive opportunities to read for pleasure and engage in formal discussion of their reading experiences through our Book Group initiative.
Each teacher involves students in the identification of individual Building Block targets. We provide a framework for the development of Writing skills across the curriculum and monitor students’ achievement.
At KS3-5, we promote debate and public speaking and encourage students to engage in formal discussion with public figures and to participate in external competitions.
Career Opportunities
Reading, writing and oral communication underpin students’ achievement in a range of careers including:
Law
Education
Politics
Publishing
Media
Librarianship
Journalism
Writing
Advertising
Marketing and research