The English Department at Stewarton Academy is a warm, friendly and creative place for pupils to learn and grow. You will begin your time with us in S1 in House groups and throughout this year you will continue to develop your Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening skills. As early as S1 you will begin to be introduced to pieces of work like Critical Essays and Textual Analysis which will help to prepare you for National Qualification in S4-6. You will also have the opportunity to study Drama and Media within English and pupils themselves tell us that they find these parts of the course to be extremely enjoyable. The teachers in this department are very dynamic and lessons are always fun!
As the BGE continues into S2 and S3 we then stream pupils into ability sets. We find that this allows us to both push and support all pupils appropriately. We have very close links with the Learning Support department and always ensure that additional support is offered where most needed. Again, in the final two years of the BGE, pupils will continue to work on developing the fundamental skills of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening, as well as Drama and Media.
Recently, the English Department have had a massive push on Reading and we have piloted a Reading Programme called Accelerated Reader to great success. This programme provides an accurate picture of a child’s reading level and which books they should be reading in order to help them progress. After each book, pupils will take a quiz to test their level of comprehension. This site can also be accessed by parents. One period per week will be given over to Accelerated Reader in class. We believe that reading for enjoyment is a key way to ensure that every child reaches their full potential and we like to work with parents in promoting this.
Literacy is not only a priority in English but in all departments and so we have a consistent and straightforward approach to Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening called Active Literacy which will help pupils to realise that skills learned in English are transferable and relevant in all walks of life.
By the time you reach S4, a decision will have been made as to whether you will be sitting National 4 or National 5. Whichever you are sitting, the English team and support staff will be there to help you achieve the best possible grade. If you sit N5 in S4 you will most likely go on to sit Higher in S5 and possibly Advanced Higher in S6. If you sit N4 in S4 you will have the opportunity to sit N5 in S5, and then progress on to Higher in S6.
We very much hope that you enjoy your time in the English Department at Stewarton and are always here if you have any concerns.
Best Wishes
Claire Gillespie
PT English and Literacy
