From the day pupils first enter Eastwood High School they will engage with language, literacy, and literature in a variety of exciting and inspiring ways in English. All teachers in our department are passionate about their subject, a passion that we love to share with pupils of all ages. Our mission is to develop an enthusiasm for reading and a love of language in each and every pupil we work with.
S1-3 BGE
The BGE course kicks off in S1 with a plethora of activities designed to not only engage the pupils and increase their understanding of language but also to help them feel comfortable in the department and in their class. From conducting interviews and delivering solo talks to beginning their study of literature with poetry, prose, drama, and media, learners will have a range of opportunities to develop the key skills of English: reading, writing, talking and listening. A particular highlight of the S1 course is “Reading by Tribes”. In this unit, pupils choose the novel they would like to study then work with a different teacher for six weeks to explore, analyse, and enjoy the text.
Progression is key to the construction of our courses and in S2 the skills that were introduced in first year are developed further. In S1 pupils complete an “Introduction to Media” course; in S2 they use the skills developed to study and analyse a film in its entirety. Classes also flex their creative muscles in second year, as they learn about the art of story writing and produce a creepy tale of their own.
The S3 course is designed to be an efficient bridge between the junior phase and the impending senior phase. In S3, pupils continue to develop the skills taught in their first two years and begin to refine them in a way which will prepare them for the demands of the National Qualifications. They will explore a range of more sophisticated literature which ensures challenge and continued enjoyment. Essay writing skills become a clearer focus at this stage.
S4-6 National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher
National 4 & 5
These courses are designed to test the skills taught in the BGE. Pupils study poetry, prose, drama, and media texts in a variety of different ways. They will learn how to structure exam responses and create their own extended pieces of writing for their portfolio. Building on the work undertaken in S1-S3, pupils will continue to develop their language skills in preparation for the potential Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and Evaluation assessment. Talking and Listening are also important components of the course and pupils will be assessed internally in both of these areas.
Higher/Advanced Higher
As pupils progress to Higher English, the skills required for success remain similar but the complexity, depth, and thematic concerns of the texts studied increases significantly. More independent learning is involved and self-motivated study becomes integral to the success of the learner. More challenging texts, longer portfolio pieces, and greater demands in Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and Evaluation ensure that pupils will have to call upon all of the skills they developed in the earlier phases of English.
