Broad General Education Course Layout

In S1 and S2 pupils will follow a common curriculum, with a unit-based approach to the development of the essential skills and significant aspects of learning.  Raising aspirations by improving literacy skills is at the heart of what we do.  Underpinning this is the need for technical accuracy and we have a whole school literacy correction code to support learners.  This is displayed in our English classrooms, in other curricular areas around the school and in pupils’ planners.

In the BGE pupils will complete pieces of writing for different purposes and audiences such as Personal, Functional and Imaginative; they will carry out reading tasks such as Critical Essay writing, private and close reading as well as developing their understanding of and ability to analyse features of literature.  Pupils are also given opportunities to discuss their ideas and to listen to and acknowledge the opinions of others through individual talks and group/class discussion.  Pupils also participate in inter-disciplinary learning to develop their ability to transfer essential skills to other areas of the curriculum and build confidence.

Each pupil will create a folio of work, giving them the opportunity to reflect on their learning.  Pupils will also complete a Pupil Profile, taking responsibility to record their learning which will be supported by the class teacher in partnership with parents.

Each learner’s progress will be carefully monitored throughout S1-3 with standardised GL Assessments in Literacy taking place in S2. Based on the development of pupils’ skills and abilities reflecting in their work by the end of S2, learners will begin S3 in ability groupings to help develop their skills further in preparation for the Senior Phase.  A decision will then be made regarding each pupil’s pathway / level into the Senior Phase at the end of S3.  

Higher English Course Outline

The National 6 course is similar to National 5 and is made up of 2 internally assessed units, a writing folio and an end of year examination.

The examination is similar to National 5 comprising of two papers: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (Close Reading) and the literature focused Critical Reading paper.  A specific element of the course concentrates on Scottish literature and pupils will study the works of Carol Ann Duffy as well as other pieces of literature that will be chosen by the class teacher for the essay section of the Critical Reading paper.  The continued study of Duffy allows for depth of study.

Pupils will study a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts to develop their analytical skills, and an appreciation of literature.

Internal Assessments

Unit 1: Creation and Production     Writing Assessment                1st draft by Sept weekend

Talk Assessment                      completed by Oct week

Unit 2: Analysis and Evaluation       Close Reading Assessment     Oct / Nov

Listening Assessment              Oct / Nov

External Assessments

Examination             2 papers

                                    Paper 1: Reading for U,A and E          1.5 hours         30 marks         30%

                                    Paper 2: Critical Reading                    1.5 hours         40 marks         40%

Folio: 2 essays

1 that is broadly Discursive; 1 that is broadly Creative

Each essay is marked out of 15 and makes up 30% of overall mark

Progression: National 7 English (Advanced Higher)