Higher Over Two Years

The two year course structure at Hillhead High School (no exam at the end of S4) offers pupils a chance to develop their skills; it alleviates what we used to call ‘the nine month dash’ to Higher in S5. S4 is therefore a year to develop skills. For a number of reasons, we assess pupils against the National 5 course outcomes in S4 and we end the year with a National 5 prelim exam experience which matches the challenge of the SQA exam. There is then the option of Advanced Higher in S6.

Course Content

Folio                                        1 broadly creative; 1 broadly discursive (1300 words each)       (30%)

Prelim/Exam                     Paper 1: Reading for U, A and E                                                   (30%)

Paper 2: Critical Reading                                                                    (40%)

1 x Critical Essay; 1x Textual Analysis of a Scottish Set Text

 

National 5 Over Two Years 

The priority at the start of S4 is consolidating Fourth level skills before progressing to National 5 level work. August to October of S4 we expect pupils to complete the National 4 Added Value unit. This, alongside evidence of Reading, Writing, Talking & Listening are ‘banked’ so that if a pupil fails to achieve National 5 at the end of S5, they can be awarded the National 4 qualification. Once National 4 is ‘banked’, pupils proceed to National 5 level work. There is then the option of Higher in S6.

 

National 5 Course Content

Folio                                        1 broadly creative; 1 broadly discursive (1000 words each)        (30% )

Prelim/Exam                       Paper 1: Reading for U, A and E                                                 (30% )

                                           Paper 2: Critical Reading                                                                   (40% )

(1 x Critical Essay; 1x Textual Analysis of a Scottish Set Text)

 

 

National 4 English, Scottish Studies, Media
and Literature & Communications Level 5

There is no final exam for National 4 English and Literacy; only a series of internally assessed units sometimes delivered separately (a unit by unit approach) or together (a combined approach). Pupils can also achieve Scottish Studies and Media (internal units of work). In addition, successful completion of these courses can lead to achieving Literature Communications level 5 (all internally assessed).  Successful completion can lead to National 5 English or Lit Com 6

 

Advanced Higher English in S6

Advanced Higher English is the flagship qualification of the English Department. It has an impressive uptake and prepares pupils for university level study. We would encourage pupils who enjoy literature and writing creatively to consider this challenging and rewarding course in S6. It is a rich and rewarding course delivered by an experienced team of teachers.

Entry: a Higher pass.

 

In Advanced Higher pupils : Analyse and write critically about selected and unseen literary texts (the Exam: 40%);

Produce creative writing across a range of genres (the Folio: 30%)

Undertake independent literary research (the Dissertation Project: 30%).