English
Staff
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Dr A Carlin (Head of Department)
Mrs Medbh Davey (Head of Junior English)
Mrs Laura Collins
Mr Edmund Cowan
Ms Sinead Dooher
Mrs Patricia Hanlon
Mrs Elena McCausland
Miss Dearbhile O’Hagan
Mr Damian O’Hare
Key Stage 3
English is a core subject that develops skills of literacy, communication and creativity that are essential to life and the world of work. It is also a facilitating subject that nurtures students’ ability to perform their best in a range of other subjects where quality of written and spoken communication are integral to assessed outcomes.
At KS3, pupils receive 5 periods of English. In the course of their study at KS3, they encounter a range of nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century literary texts, as well as engaging with a Shakespeare play and poetry. In developing their English Language skills, they participate in debating, create and analyse leaflets, study newspapers, and compose speeches, letters and articles.
GCSE
Exam Board: CCEA
Students at GCSE receive 7 periods to study English Language and English Literature.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE is composed of 4 units.
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Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts
This is an external examination lasting one hour and 40 minutes. It is worth 30% of GCSE English Language. Students sit this examination at the end of Y11.
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Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
This unit is Controlled Assessment composing of 3 types of spoken language: individual presentation, group discussion and drama-focused activity. Students complete a range of tasks and their best mark for each component is submitted as their final mark. This unit is worth 20% of GCSE English Language.
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Unit 3: Studying Spoken and Written Language
The type of spoken language and the theme analysed in written language changes every year. This unit is worth 20% and consists of two Controlled Assessments, each lasting one hour.
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Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts
This is an external examination lasting one hour and 40 minutes. It is worth 30% of GCSE English Language. Students sit this examination at the end of Y12.
For more information on the course visit the CCEA English Language microsite here
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ENGLISH LITERATURE is composed of 3 units.
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Unit 1: The Study of Prose
This unit contains two sections: Section A is the Novel and Section B is Unseen Prose. This is an external examination lasting one hour and 45 minutes. It is worth 30% of GCSE English Literature. Students sit this examination at the end of Y11.
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Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry
This unit is assessed by external examination and it is worth 50% of GCSE English Literature. It is open book and each section lasts one hour. Students sit this examination at the end of Y12.
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Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare
This unit is a two hour Controlled Assessment responding to a particular theme in a Shakespeare play. The theme changes every year. It is worth 20% of GCSE English Literature. Students complete this assessment in Y12.
For more information on the course visit the CCEA English Literature microsite here
A Level
Exam Board: CCEA
Considered to be a key facilitating subject for a range of degree pathways, A Level English Literature is one of the most popular GCE subject choices in Northern Ireland. The entry requirements are at least a grade B in both GCSE English Language and English Literature.
OUTLINE OF COURSE
A Level English Literature broadens students’ horizons and opens their minds to new perspectives and ideas. It allows students to construct well supported arguments and appreciate alternative interpretations of texts. The course itself covers a wide but manageable range of engaging literature including novels, plays and poems. The texts are stimulating and interesting, allowing students opportunities to develop individual interests. Students can develop their own original ideas and creativity when responding to each text and the course invites in-depth discussion and reflection at every opportunity. The coursework element allows for independent study, wider reading and a sense of personal achievement.
The AS course is divided into two units: AS 1 and AS 2.
The A level requires the study of three further units: A2 1, A2 2 and A2 3.
Unit AS 1: The Study of Poetry and Drama (External written examination, 2hrs, 60% of AS, 24% of A Level)
Section A: The Study of Poetry 1900- Present (open book)
Section B: The Study of Drama 1900- Present (closed book)
Unit AS 2: The Study of Prose Pre 1900 (External written examination, 1hr, 40% of AS, 16% of A Level)
One question on one novel (closed book)
Unit A2 1: Shakespearean Genres (External written examination, 1hr 30mins, 20% of A Level)
One question on a single play from a chosen Shakespearean genre – tragedy, comedy, problem plays or last plays (closed book)
Unit A2 2: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry (External written examination, 2hrs, 20% of A Level)
Section A: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 (closed book)
Section B: Unseen Poetry
Unit A2 3: Prose
2500-word essay on two novels one of which must be a twenty first century novel (Internal assessment)
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For more information on the course visit the CCEA microsite here
Post A Level
Students who studied English Literature A Level have gone on to pursue a range of courses and careers in the following areas: Psychology; Archaeology; Sociology; Law; Social Policy and Sociology; Social Work; Religious Studies; Education; Government; Marketing; Music; Software Engineering with Digital Technology Partnership; English; Sociology and Social Policy; French and Portuguese; Biological Sciences; Business Economics/Business and Management.
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Enrichment/Extra Curricular
Students who study English Literature have the opportunity to visit the cinema or theatre. Depending on the chosen Poetry Anthology, they may visit the Heaney HomePlace. There are also opportunities to attend external lectures and we have visiting lecturers and writers who come to the school.
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Students are encouraged to participate in Essay Writing Competitions and to cultivate their love of literature by patronising ongoing festivals and events in the surrounding area throughout the year. They are also encouraged to audition for the Bar Mock Trial competition.
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CEAIG
Jobs directly related to English Literature A Level include:
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Digital copywriter
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Editorial assistant
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English as a foreign language teacher
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Lexicographer
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Magazine journalist
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Newspaper journalist
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Private tutor
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Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
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Secondary school teacher
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Web content manager
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Writer
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Jobs where your A Level would be useful include:
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Academic librarian
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Advertising copywriter
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Archivist
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Arts administrator
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Education consultant
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Information officer
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Learning mentor
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Marketing executive
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Media researcher
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Politician
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Primary school teacher
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Public relations officer
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Records manager
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Social media manager
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