N 3/4 English

Both N3 and N4 enable pupils to focus on building core literacy skills and applying these across a range of activities to generate evidence of their capabilities in Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening. Pupils can personalise their topics for formal written work and will develop their vocabularies, knowledge of language, research skills and note taking through the production of their N4 Added Value Project.

N5 English

Pupils will study a collection of six poems by a Scottish poet as well as an extended text such as a play or novel in preparation for the final Critical Reading exam. They will develop detailed knowledge of the literature studied and enhance their textual analysis and critical essay skills. Pupils will continue to build their vocabularies, knowledge of language and general knowledge to prepare them for the Close Reading component of the exam. Pupils will also work on the style and accuracy of their written expression to support them in the production of two folio pieces for submission to the SQA.

Higher English

Pupils will study a collection of six poems by a Scottish poet as well as an extended text such as a play or novel in preparation for the final Critical Reading exam. They will develop detailed knowledge of the literature studied and enhance their textual analysis and critical essay skills. Pupils will continue to build their vocabularies, knowledge of language and general knowledge to prepare them for the Close Reading component of the exam. Pupils will also work on the style and accuracy of their written expression to support them in the production of two folio pieces for submission to the SQA.

Advanced Higher English

Pupils will study two complex and sophisticated texts to an advanced level in preparation for the literary study exam in which they will write a detailed, comparative essay. Pupils will also engage with a wide range of poetry texts and develop their knowledge of literary techniques so as to prepare for the textual analysis exam where they will analyse a previously unseen text. To support pupils with the production of their dissertation, pupils are guided in their selection of literary texts and will devise their own topic to explore in detail. They will engage in the critical debate surrounding their chosen texts and develop the capacity to sustain a line of thought throughout an essay of around 3000 words. Finally, pupils will continue to hone their writing skills and produce a folio of two essays for submission to the SQA on the day of the final exam. The course affords pupils the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world English Literature and enhance their skills in communicating complex ideas and critical thinking.