ENGLISH
OVERVIEW
The English and Media Department at Elgin High School aim to enhance student experience by improving confidence, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering enjoyment in reading, writing, talking and listening.
Our vision is to create a culture of lifelong learning where our students are:
· Engaged, enthusiastic and empathetic
· Resilient, reflective and responsible
· Critical, creative and co-operative.
Each year, students study a range of texts (including drama, prose, poetry, non-fiction, media and texts in Scots), producing a variety of written and spoken outcomes. We assess students in S1-3 based on the English and Literacy Education Scotland Experiences and Outcomes levels 1-4. In senior phase (S4-6), we present at SQA National 3, National 4, 5, Higher and Advanced Higher English. We also offer National 5 and Higher Media.
We are passionate about improving students' communication skills and confidence with language. We want to empower students to pursue all opportunities in Further and Higher education, in addition to the many other careers requiring effective written and/or spoken communication. We aim to provide real-life contexts for learning; ensuring students see the relevance in the skills we learn in English and how they can be applied across other subjects in the school, and in the world of work. Involving ourselves in projects with other departments across the school, we encourage students to 'join up' approaches to literacy and broaden student experience.
We believe reading is paramount to success. As such, the department works closely with the library to promote personal reading. We facilitate a fortnightly reading programme for our S1-3 students and organise author visits. We would like to encourage students to read as often and widely as they possibly can, especially in S1-S3, to help them prepare for the challenges of the senior phase.
We strive to involve parents in their young person’s learning as far as possible. We hope this website, in addition to our Twitter page, will enable you to support learning to its fullest extent. Please get in touch with us if you would like any further information.
Students can access the the English Departments Twitter Pages via the
following link: (EHS English Twitter)
WHAT WE TEACH:
S1-S2: In S1, students have four periods of English every week in mostly mixed ability groupings. Some classes may have more than one teacher each week, and students will have one double period in English. In S2, classes may be refreshed based on individual progress. Students will study a range of texts (prose, poetry, drama, non-fiction, media and texts in Scots) covering the reading, writing, talking and listening CfE experiences and outcomes. Students will be given a fortnightly reading period, language period and language homework exercise. In addition to this, they will be assessed on up to nine pieces of work over the academic year. We work closely with the library and encourage our students to read as often and widely as they can to enhance their vocabulary and confidence with language. Students will usually study at least one Shakespeare play every year and a text in Scots.
S3: Students will have five periods of English a week, including two double periods. They will continue to build upon the skills learned in S1-2, but with more focus on the skills required to prepare them for the rigors of S4. This year, we have chosen not to refresh the classes following the Covid closures, so all S3 Students will have the same teacher as they did in S2. Once again, students will be given a fortnightly language exercise that may be given as homework, reading period and language period. At the end of S3, our S3 cohort will be given a reading and writing exam in the assembly hall. We aim for most of our students to achieve Level 3 or 4 by the end of S3. Once again, students will usually study at least one Shakespeare play every year and a text in Scots.
S4: English is compulsory for all S4 students. They are placed in an English class that will allow them to pursue the most appropriate level of study based on their progress from S1-S3: National 3, 4 or 5. Although we would like all classes to be presented at the same level, some classes may be bi-level and could be National 3/4 or National 4/5. Some pupils may be advised to change levels depending on their performance in homework and assessments throughout the year. The department also offers National 5 Media as an option for S4-6 students in addition to English.
S5: For students who have at least a National 4 English qualification, English is optional. Students with a National 3 English qualification in S4 will be required to work towards a National 4 qualification if they stay on to S5. Students who achieve National 4 in S4 can progress to National 5 English or National 5 Literacy (an alternative to the more rigorous National 5 exam). Students who achieve a C at National 5 English are recommended to study Literature 1 and Communication, an internally assessed course that is equivalent to a C at Higher English. Students with an A or B at National 5 can follow the Higher course. There is also the option of Media at National 4 or 5 level, as appropriate.
S6: Students can follow the National 5, Literature 1 and Communication, Higher, Advanced Higher (if they have at least a C at Higher English) or National 4/5 Media courses as appropriate.