English
Proficiency in English is central to every pupil’s ability to access and develop in all areas of the curriculum. English aims to help pupils develop their oral and written expression so that they are confident and creative in their use of language and are able to clearly and fluently express ideas and opinions. Pupils have meaningful and enjoyable contact with the broadest possible range of literature in order to stimulate their imagination and to give them the requisite critical skills.
The study of literature will help pupils to envisage and encounter a wider view of life that will allow them to discuss, think about and challenge their own values, beliefs and society. Pupils are given the opportunity to read a wide range of poetry, prose and drama and participate in ways that will develop their own perceptions and opinions. The study of literature is prescribed in every area of the Faculty’s curriculum and the importance of independent learning and personal reading is central to this curriculum.
SI-SII
The rationale behind the SI to SII course is the need to offer pupils a challenging and broad experience of English and literature. Pupils will experience courses in English which are about building skills, confidence and enjoyment of English. This course introduces them to a wide range of literature both inside and outside of the classroom. Pupils are challenged to read and think for themselves. They are expected to work at a pace which will suit their learning needs whilst still encouraging and pushing them to succeed. Pupils will also be challenged to think and write creatively in formal and informal contexts throughout these years as this will aid their understanding of how language works.
In SI and SII pupils study a range of texts, including at least one Shakespeare play each year, and produce essays based on this study of literature which will help to provide them with the skills for their future study of English, in SIII and beyond. The course is designed to fit in with both the ideas and ethos of A Curriculum for Excellence and Assessment for Learning by having, at its core, the concepts of pace, challenge, breadth and formative assessment.
SIII-SIV Intermediate 2
The Intermediate course in SIII and SIV introduces pupils to a wide range of literature both inside and outside of the classroom. Pupils are challenged to read and think for themselves and produce a number of Personal Study Essays over the course of the two years. Pupils are expected to work at a pace which will suit their learning needs whilst still encouraging and pushing them to succeed in the SQA exams at the end of SIV. In SIII pupils study a range of texts, including one Shakespeare play, and produce essays based on this study of literature which provides them with the skills for coping with the exams at the end of SIII and SIV. (The SIII May exam is a complete Intermediate 2 exam, in which the pupils complete on close reading exercise and two critical essays).
In SIV pupils study fewer texts because of the time constraints caused by Prelims and SQA exams. The texts, studied in SIV, are those which they will revise and use in the Intermediate exam. Pupils will have passed all of the required Learning Outcomes for Intermediate 2 or 1 before the Easter holiday in SIV. The vast majority of pupils sit Intermediate 2 in SIV some, however, may need to sit Intermediate 1. This decision is not made until after the Prelim and in consultation with parents, Heads of House and Senior Management.
SV/SVI Higher
The Higher English course comprises three units: Language Unit; Textual Analysis Unit; Personal Study Unit and there are four internal assessments based on these. These assessments are: Close Reading; Writing; Textual Analysis; and Personal Study. Pupils must pass each of these units at Higher level in order to sit the external examination in May. This examination has two elements - Paper I Close Reading and Paper II Critical Essay. The course itself works toward each of the units and the external examination through analysis of language at various levels and through the study of a variety of texts in Drama, Prose and Poetry.
SVI Advanced Higher
The Advanced Higher course consists of four units: Literary Unit; Textual Analysis Unit, Creative Writing; and a Dissertation. Each of these units has an internal assessment which must be achieved before pupils can sit the external examination. The external examination will comprise of one essay on literary texts studied in class. This year pupils have studied James Hogg, John Donne and Seamus Heaney.