Aims
The English Department’s ethos is inclusive of all ability. English teachers set high standards, whilst allowing a degree of differentiation within lessons to cater for the full range of abilities and learning styles.
We believe that literacy is of paramount importance for academic success across the curriculum. We promote and develop communication as skills developed in this key area are life-long skills.
Staff
Mrs C Hughes (HOD and KS3 Senco)
Mr A Campbell (Literacy Coordinator)
Mrs S McQuilkin (Head of Year 9)
Mrs L Wright (Senco and Head of LLW)
Mrs C Scullion
Mrs U Kelly
Ms B McCaughan
Key Stage 3
Students will be familiarised with a wide range of text types, distinguishing between forms and developing a sense of the significance of world context. For example, students will study: whole novels, short stories, poems and non-fiction. Specifically, this will entail: contemporary literature, modern and heritage poetry and topical non-fiction helping to prepare our young people to understand the power of the written and spoken word. Texts studied are tailored for the interests and abilities of all our students.
English Language skills will include: writing creatively and transactionally, for enjoyment and to develop accuracy; interpretation of implicit information; explanation of language; comparison of writers’ perspectives; effective use of textual references. With regard to English Literature, students will be encouraged to develop a personal response and style, analyse language using appropriate terminology and link texts to their contexts.
Most importantly, students of English at Cross and Passion College will become critical and competent readers and writers, well prepared for the rigours and demands of the Key Stage 4 curriculum.
GCSE
Students are prepared for the CCEA exams
GCSE English
Over the two years three units will be studied, these are:
• Writing for Purpose and Audience
• Reading to access Non-fiction + Media Texts
• Personal and Creative writing
GCSE English Literature
This involve the study of prose, poetry and drama texts
Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. In the past many students have had short stories and poetry put in print as a result of entering into faculty supported national competitions.
Both English Language and English Literature provide the foundations for all A-Level subjects. Both GCSEs are highly regarded and recognised as offering employers and higher education institutions a clear indication of student’s literacy and ability to communicate. Students who excel at English go on to work in marketing, publishing, law, journalism, teaching, academic pursuits and within the television and film media.
A-Level
UNIT CONTENT
Component 1 – Drama and poetry Pre 1900 – Exam (40%)
• Chaucer’s The Merchant’s Tale
• Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer
• Shakespeare’s The Tempest
COMPONENT 2 – Comparative and Contextual Study – Exam (40%)
• Gothic texts – Frankenstein and Dracula
• Unseen Fiction
COMPONENT 3 – Literature Post 1900 – Non exam assessment (20%)
• Close reading or re-creative writing piece with commentary
• Comparative essay
Both English Language and English Literature provide the foundations for all A-Level subjects. Both GCSEs are highly regarded and recognised as offering employers and higher education institutions a clear indication of student’s literacy and ability to communicate. Students who excel at English go on to work in marketing, publishing, law, journalism, teaching, academic pursuits and within the television and film media.
Extracurricular
In the English Department we aim to give students every opportunity to develop their skills as critical thinkers and communicators. This involves:
Various debating competitions -The Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition and the Concern Debating competition (All Ireland Champions in 2016)
Public Speaking with the Soroptimists
Our students enjoy theatre trips and workshops throughout the year.
