All S1, S2 and S3 pupils will undertake an English and Literacy course that focuses on the key components of Reading, Writing, Listening and Talking.

Pupils will be encouraged to develop a range of skills within S1 – S3 which will prepare them for senior school – including their critical essay writing skills, as well as their knowledge of RUAE (Reading for Understanding, Analysis & Evaluation.)

Assessment

Pupils will be formally assessed throughout the course, and assessment pieces stored in their own Assessment Folder which is stored with the class teacher. Parents are welcome to view this at Parents’ Consultation Evenings.

Pupils are encouraged to assess their own work at various stages of the assessment process and will record their progress/next steps in their individual Self-Evaluation Booklets.

Reading for Pleasure

All classrooms have a classroom library, which pupils are welcome to choose a book from, for personal reading. They are also welcome to bring in their own book from home. Pupils may use this for reading at the start or end of a lesson, but are strongly encouraged to read in their own time at home also – even for a brief 15 minutes each night. Pupils may choose to read from novels and reference books to broadsheets newspapers and magazines. Pupils may also choose to listen to audiobooks.

Reading helps to develop vocabulary, improve spelling and writing, develop comprehension, as well as improve concentration. Young people therefore can feel more confident when studying and analysing texts – in English, as well as across the curriculum.

S1 & S2 pupils will have their own Reading Record in class where they can note the books they have read. They may opt to do a short task when they have finished their book. Pupil efforts will be recognised in the form of a certificate.