The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is the curriculum followed in all Scottish establishments and is built upon the Scottish Parliament values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. All children and young people develop skills for life, skills for learning and skills for work though our Scottish curriculum.

This will prepare them for a world that is changing very fast.

Our school interprets this curriculum to ensure that all our young people become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

What do you study

There are four main strands that are of equal importance:

Reading
Writing
Talking
Listening

Young people within Brannock High School in the BGE will be taught each strand at least once a year, if not more than once.

Using these strands and associated government benchmarks, our department studies literature, language, media and literacy. We have a wide range of units, topics, texts and interests – and teacher interest and experience is encouraged.

This means that there are no “standard units” within the English department. Each class will undertake learning about Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening dependant on how best the teacher deicdes.

But we do share assessment criteria and assessment points during the year.

Some Example Units of work

S1 may study a novel like ‘Matilda’ to do a piece of creative writing, such as a diary entry, and then a critical essay on the novel. This would cover the strands of Reading and Writing.

S2 may study a group of protest poems to write their own, perform it to a group, peer assess other pupil’s performance within their group, and then create a poetry anthology as a class. This would cover the strands of Reading, Talking, Listening and Writing.

S3 may interview a local business person about products within their shop and then sped a few weeks working as a ‘Dragon’s Den’ group designing a product, including a poster, which they then present as a group. This would cover the strands of Writing, Talking and Listening.

Class Organisation within English

S1 English classes are mixed ability and based upon the school houses (Arran, Bute and Lewis) and, so, allow young people to form strong relationships when they first arrive. Differentiated work is provided by the teacher to ensure that all young people are challenged.

S2 English classes are mixed ability but are no longer based upon houses but, instead, ‘mixed up’ to allow young people to make friendships across the whole year group. Differentiated work is provided by the teacher to ensure that all young people are challenged.

S3 English classes have some element of ‘streaming’ by pace of learning, young person ability and with forward prediction about S4 SQA courses that young people may wish to undertake.

Formal Assessments in the BGE

The majority of assessments that your young person will sit in English are in class with the support of their teacher and further support from Support for Learning or the LCSC if required.

These are used diagnostically by the class teacher to identify strengths and next steps for your young person.

As a department, we have decided to formally focus upon Reading skills for formal S1-S3 English Exam Weeks. These feed into the SQA exams in S4-S6, making up 70% of these assessments. Young people will be properly taught core skills in Reading before these assessments and given all appropriate supports to achieve their absolute best.

We, therefore, have a formal exam week for each year group just before a formal report or Parent & Carer Evening.

S1 English Exam Week is the week beginning 28th April 2025
S2 English Exam Week is the week beginning 10th February 2025
S3 English Exam Week is the week beginning 11th November 2024

Pupil Levels & Reports

Brannock High School has a formal calendar of reports and Parent & Carer consultation evenings. The English Department has designed our yearly timetable so that we can always update carers with “most recent and best” information and work from young people.

Pupil reports contain a ‘holistic’ English level, a snapshot of all of the strands and skills rolled together. This is to allow carers to compare their achievement in English & Literacy with other subject areas.

Internally we track young people against each strand of Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening separately to ensure progress in them all.

The BGE stretches, for most pupils, from Level 2 through to Level 4 at the end of S3. Pupils go through this learning journey at different speeds and with different strengths and so there is no definitive level where any S1, S2 or S3 should be.

Brannock teachers will always aim as high as possible for all young people.

Mr. McEwan, the head of Faculty, would be happy to discuss any young person’s individual levels, tracking or reports. Please get in touch by phone, email or the contact element of this blog.

Useful Links

BBC Bitesize: Third Level English
BBC Bitesize: Fourth Level English
National Library of Scotland: The Learning Zone
Scottish Book Trust: Read Write Count at Home
Literacy Trust: Words for Life

Where can English take you

Law
Politics
Acting
Writing
Civil Service
Film/TV Editing
Copy Editing
Speech Therapy
Administration
Management
Digital Content Editing
Editing
Teaching
Marketing
Journalism
Broadcasting
Clerical Work
Copywriting
Film/TV Production
Classroom Support
Events Management
Information Services
Publishing
Advertising
Archive Work
Public Relations
Proofreading
Librarianship
Film/TV Direction
Travel & Tourism
Digital Marketing

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Our Faculty Vision Statement:
Kind in Action, Happy in Participation, and Successful in Achievement.

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Did you know you can access free ebooks and audiobooks through North Lanarkshire Council? Join your library !

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