English

English with Media Education

Staff

Head of Department

Mrs Deirdri McVeigh

Mrs M Carron

Mrs M Convery

Ms T Loughrey

Ms Brenda McNulty

Mr C Quinn

Mrs A B Gervin

Mrs K McKenna

KS3: Brief Overview

Year 8

In Year 8 students study a range of themed schemes of learning. Each unit encompasses a range of reading and writing activities that build upon those previously learned at primary school. These include reading for meaning and inference, retrieving information, close language analysis, narrative writing, exploring poetic forms and non-fiction writing. Speaking and Listening tasks include drama activities and persuasive speeches.

Year 9

In Year 9 students continue to build on the firm foundations established in Year 8, developing a more detailed understanding and appreciation of a variety of more demanding texts which include the poetry of Seamus Heaney; Victorian Literature and Shakespeare. Learning intentions focus on developing the higher level skills of reading and analysing comparatively; and evaluating an author’s effects. Year 9 students also continue to develop their Speaking and Listening skills through a variety of tasks such as individual and group presentations and formal and informal group discussions.

Year 10

Students at St Pius X College start preparing for their GCSE English Language and Literature during Year 10. Schemes of Work develop the skills necessary for the GCSE course in a holistic way with a particular focus on approaches to Non- Fiction Texts; Pre- 20th Century literature and drama texts and WW1 Poetry.

CM Assessments are carefully planned to facilitate the transition to the GCSE course and provide multiple opportunities for quality feedback and target setting to optimise pupil progression to KS4 pathways.

GCSE: English Language

Exam Board: CCEA

GCSE Component

% of GCSE Grade

How it is Assessed?

Unit Title

Unit 1

30%

External written examination

1 hour 40 mins

Writing for Purpose and audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts

Unit 2

20%

Controlled Assessment

Speaking and Listening

Unit 3

20%

Controlled Assessment

Studying Spoken and Written Language

Unit 4

30%

External written examination

1 hour 40 m

Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literacy and Non-Fiction Texts

GCSE: English Literature

Exam Board: CCEA

GCSE Component

% of GCSE Grade

How it is Assessed?

Unit Title

Unit 1

30%

External written examination

1 hour 45 mins

The Study of Prose

Unit 2

50%

External written examination 2 hours

The Study of Drama and Poetry

Unit 3

20%

Controlled Assessment

The Study of Shakespeare

A Level

Exam Board: CCEA

GCSE Component

% of GCSE Grade

How it is Assessed?

Unit Title

AS Module 1

60% of AS

24% of A Level

External written examination

2 hours at end of Yr13

The Study of Poetry 1900- Present and Drama 1900-Present

AS Module 2

40% of AS

16% of A Level

External written examination

1 hour at end of Yr13

The Study of Prose Pre 1900

A2 Module 1

20% of a Level

External written examination

1 hour 30 mins

Shakespearean Genres

A2 Module 2

20% of a Level

External written examination

2 hours

The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry

A2 Module 3

20% of a Level

Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment based on Prose

Essential Skills Communication Level 1

Exam Board: CCEA

Module

Speaking & Listening

% of Grade

50%

How is it Assessed?

Internal Assessment/External Moderation

TASKS

Informal Group Discussion

Formal Group Discussion

Essential Skills Communication Level 2

Module

Speaking & Listening

% of Grade

50%

How is it Assessed?

Internal Assessment/External Moderation

TASKS

Informal Group Discussion

Formal Individual Presentation

Career Opportunities

Module

Reading & Writing

% of Grade

50%

How is it Assessed?

External written examination

1 hour 30 mins

TASKS

10 x Reading

2 x Writing

Exam Board: CCEA

Module

Reading & Writing

% of Grade

50%

How is it Assessed?

External written examination

1 hour 45 mins

TASKS

10 x Reading

2 x Writing

English graduates find opportunities with many different employers. Public and private sector organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS), educational institutions, local and national government, financial and legal firms, and voluntary and charitable organisations employ English graduates in a range of roles, including: