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English

Staff:  
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Mrs O.McGrath
Mrs A.Watterson
Mrs C.O’Connor
Mr. G. McCabe

Introduction

The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower pupils to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible choices throughout their lives.  English develops pupils as individuals, as contributors to society and as contributors to the economy and environment.  In St. Colm’s all pupils study English to GCSE level, with some pupils choosing English Literature as an additional subject. 

KS3 Subject Overview

Through the study of novels and different forms of writing, students are able to develop their reading and writing skills.  Students’ communication skills are further enhanced by completing a variety of speaking and listening activities.   Pupils are also given a variety of opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.  The subject naturally caters for development of a plethora of thinking skills and personal capabilities such as being creative and thinking, problem solving and decision making.   

English Language KS4 Subject Overview:

Exam Board: CCEA

Unit 1

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Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media texts

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External written examination 

Untiered 

1hr 45 mins 

Students complete 5 tasks

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Weighting:  30%

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Timescale: End of Year 11

Unit 2

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Speaking and Listening

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Controlled Assessment 

Untiered 

Teachers mark the tasks and CCEA moderate the results. 

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Weighting:  20%

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Timescale: A range throughout year 11 and 12

Unit 3

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Studying Spoken and Written Language

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Controlled Assessment 

Untiered 

Teachers mark the tasks and CCEA moderate the results

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Weighting: 20%

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Timescale: Written Language task in year 11 and Spoken Language task in year 12.  

Unit 4

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Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-fiction Texts

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External written examination 

Untiered 

1hr 45 mins 

Students complete four tasks. 

 

Weighting:  30%

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Timescale: End of Year 12

English Literature KS4 Subject Overview:

Exam Board: CCEA

Unit 1

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The Study of Prose

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External written examination 

Untiered 

1hr 45 mins 

Students answer two questions: 1 from section A (novel studied in class.)

 

And

 

One from section B (Unseen Prose.) 

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Weighting:  30%

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Timescale: End of Year 11

Unit 2

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SThe Study of Drama and Poetry

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External written examination 

Untiered 

2hours 

Students answer two questions 

One from section A (Drama)

 

And

 

One from section B (Chosen poetry anthology)

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Weighting:  50%

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Timescale: end of year 12

Unit 3

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The Study of Shakespeare

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Controlled Assessment

Untiered 

2 hours 

Teacher mark the tasks and CCEA moderate the results. 

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Weighting: 20%

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Timescale: Year 11

Career Opportunities

Many further and higher educational institutions require a grade C at GCSE level in English language. 

 

Most apprenticeships and employers insist on a minimum of Grade C at GCSE level in English language.

 

Careers include

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Teacher, Journalist, Film-maker, Barrister, Researcher, Translator, Author, Librarian, Web Designer, Actor, Therapist, Script writer. 

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