- Departments - English
Members of Department
​
Mrs C. O’Donnell (Head of Department)
Mrs D. Marlow
Mrs A. Murphy
Mrs R. Mellon
Mrs C. McGirr
Mrs S. McMahon
Mrs M. O’Hagan
Miss C. Rafferty
Key Stage 3
​
During Key Stage 3 we encourage students to study a range of fiction texts by Irish writers, including Seamus Heaney, Frank O’Connor, Roddy Doyle, Bernard Mac Laverty, Frank McCourt and Marita Conlon-McKenna.
​
Novels are chosen with a view to engaging all students, and with an emphasis on motivating boys.
Year 8
​
Pupils complete a recount based on the transfer to their new school.
​
They undertake a series of tasks based around the class novel, including role play activities.
​
A media unit is studied and the year finishes with the study of fiction reading in preparation for the summer test.
Year 9
​
Pupils complete a literary essay based on the study of Heaney’s poetry.
​
They complete a series of activities in response to the class novel, including talking and listening assessment.
​
A film unit enables the students to engage in ICT activities and the year is completed with fiction reading to prepare for the summer test.
Year 10
​
The year commences with non-fiction writing, before the class novel is studied, involving a focus on fiction writing and comprehension work, in preparation for the winter test.
​
Debating skills are developed in conjunction with the RE department and the summer term ends with the study of non-fiction writing.
​
Key Stage 4
​
English Language
​
Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts.
External written examination
Untiered
1 hour 45 mins
Students respond to five tasks
30%
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
Controlled assessment
Untiered
Teachers assess the tasks, and we moderate the outcomes
20%
Unit 3: Studying Spoken and Written Language
Controlled assessment
Untiered
Teachers assess the tasks, and we moderate the outcomes
20%
Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts
External written examination
Untiered
1 hour and 45 mins
Students respond to four tasks
30%
Key Stage 4
​
English Literature
​
Unit 1: The Study of Prose
External written examination
Untiered
1 hour 45 mins
Students answer two questions, one from Section A and one set question in Section B.
Section A is closed book
30%
Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry
External written examination
Untiered
2 hours
Students answer two questions, one from Section A and one from Section B.
Section A is open book
Section B is open book
50%
Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare
Controlled assessment
Untiered
2 hours
Students complete on task an extended writing question based on a theme.
20%
Key Stage 5
​
English Literature
​
​
AS1:
The Study of Poetry 1900 - Present and Drama 1900 - Present
External written examination
2 hours
Students answer two questions, one from Section A and one from Section B.
Section A is open book.
Section B is closed book.
60% of AS
​
24% of A Level
AS 2:
The Study of Prose Pre 1900
External written examination
1 hour
Students answer one question.
Closed book
40% of AS
​
16% of A Level
A2 1:
Shakespearean Genres
External written examination
1 hour 30 minutes
Students answer one question.
Closed book
20% of A Level
A2 2:
The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 and Unseen Poetry
External written examination
2 hours
Students answer two questions, one from Section A and the question set in Section B.
Closed book.
20% of A Level
A2 3:
Internal Assessment
Internal assessment
Students complete a 2500 word essay
20% of A Level