Aims and Vision

We want to develop reflective and articulate pupils who are confident and willing to express their ideas in a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Our aim is to deliver lessons that are innovative, interesting and relevant to the pupils’ contexts.

Magazine Article

Banbridge Academy Magazine Article 2021-2022

Banbridge Academy Magazine 2022-2023: English

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, pupils develop their knowledge, understanding and skills progressively by engaging with an array of stimulating poetry, prose, drama, non-fiction, media and multimedia texts. Our aim is for our pupils to become increasingly critical, creative and effective communicators, whether through the spoken or written word. We adhere closely to the statutory requirements for Language and Literacy, ensuring that all pupils are given opportunities to work both collaboratively and independently. Pupils of English enjoy experiencing active learning as they:

• Express meaning, feelings and viewpoints
• Take part in debates, role plays, interviews, presentations and group discussions
• Read and view for key ideas, enjoyment, engagement and empathy
• Write and present in different media, for different audiences and purposes
• Participate in a range of drama activities
• Analyse texts critically
• Develop an understanding of different forms and methods of communication and how meaning is created
• Develop knowledge of how language works, along with accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

Pupils are assessed in the three central skills of Talking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

GCSE English Language

The content of the English course is divided into three areas:

• Reading: Poetry, prose, drama and non-fiction.
• Writing: Creative writing, persuasive/discursive writing, written responses to literary and non fiction texts and to the spoken word.
• Talking and Listening

The scheme of Assessment is shown below:

Unit 1:Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Texts [30%]

External examination 1 hour 45 mins

Unit 2: Speaking and Listening [20%]

Unit 3: Studying Spoken and Written Language [20%]

Controlled Assessment

Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-fiction Texts [20%]

External examination 1 hour 45 minutes

GCSE English Literature

The content of the English Literature course is divided into three areas:

1. The Study of Drama
2. The Study of Prose
3. The Study of Poetry

Scheme of Assessment

Two Examinations – Combined (80%)

Unit 1 – The Study of Prose               30%, 1 hour 45 mins (examined in June, Year 11)

Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck  

Unseen Victorian prose extract

Unit 2 – The Study of Drama and Poetry      50%, 2 hours (examined in June, Year 12)

Section A – Drama Juno and the Paycock                  25%

Section B – Poetry CCEA Anthology                            20%

 Controlled Assessment                                   20%    2 hours

Unit 3 – The Study of Shakespeare

Students complete one task: an extended writing question based on a theme.

Progression to A Level/Career Opportunities

A minimum B Grade is needed in both GCSE English and English Literature in order to study English Literature at A Level.

English and English Literature will teach you to understand what you read, to think for yourself, to argue a case using evidence, and to communicate effectively with other people.  These skills are essential in almost any career, but are particularly relevant in law, journalism, teaching, the Civil Service, nursing and the Social Services.

AS/A2 English Literature

The aim of the Advanced Level English course is to help you enjoy, appreciate and write fluently about a wide variety of literary texts from different periods.

The study of literature at AS and A2 level involves:

• understanding of the techniques writers use to achieve their ends;
• knowledge of the cultural, social and political contexts in which works of literature are written;
• the ability to discuss your own and other readers’ interpretations.

Additional Entrance Requirements

You should not consider either AS or A level English Literature unless you obtain at least a grade B in both English Language and English Literature at GCSE.

Course Content and Scheme of Assessment

You will have to study eight texts in all: six examination texts and two coursework texts. Units AS 1 and AS2 will be examined at the end of Year 13, Units A21, A2 2 (Y14) are examined at the end of Year 14 and Unit A2 3 (coursework) will be completed during term 2 of Year 13 and term 1 or Year 14.

AS Level

Unit AS 1     The Study of Poetry, 1900-Present                60% of AS / 24% of A level            

24 poems         Frost/Heaney

A Streetcar Named Desire    Williams

External written examination: 2 hours

Students answer two questions, one from Section A (open book), One from Section B (closed book)

Unit AS 2        The Study of Prose, pre-1900                                    40% of AS, 16% of A level

The Scarlet Letter         Hawthorne

External examination:1 hour

Students answer one question, closed book

A2 Level

Unit A2 1        Shakespearean Genres                                               20% of A level

External examination:1 hour 30mins

Students answer one question, closed book

Unit  A2 2       The Study of Poetry pre-1900 and Unseen Poetry    20% of A level

16 poems John Donne

External examination:2 hours

Students answer two questions, one from Section A and the question set in Section B (closed book)

Unit A2 3        Internal Assessment 

Students complete a 2500 word essay based on a detailed study of two novels, one of which must be a twenty-first-century novel.

Career Opportunities

English would be a suitable choice for a wide range of careers. The study of English Literature improves fluency, develops communication skills and involves high level thinking skills. The ability to analyse and sensitively consider other viewpoints is fundamental to English Literature and to the work place.