English

Staff; Ms Dutton (HoD), Mrs Mullan (Head of KS3/ Literacy Co-Ordinator)
Ms McCaffery, Mrs McConville, Miss Ward, Mrs Fleming, Miss White

Aims

Our English Department is committed to inspiring curiosity, cultivating confidence and equipping students to excel, both in their examinations and in their wider lives. It is our aim is to ensure that every pupil, regardless of starting point, leaves school ready to think critically, communicate effectively and engage meaningfully with a diverse world.

At Malone College, our English Department is committed to inspiring curiosity, cultivating confidence and equipping every student with the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to excel, both in their examinations and in their wider lives. We believe that English is more than an academic subject; it is a gateway to understanding ourselves, appreciating others and making sense of the world around us.

Our aim is to ensure that every pupil, regardless of their starting point, background or ability, is supported, challenged and encouraged to achieve their full potential. Through engaging, inclusive and ambitious teaching, we strive to develop confident readers, thoughtful writers, articulate speakers and independent thinkers who are equipped to communicate effectively and engage meaningfully with an increasingly diverse and complex world.

We are passionate about nurturing a lifelong love of reading and literature, introducing students to a rich variety of texts, voices, cultures and perspectives. By exploring both classic and contemporary literature, we encourage pupils to question ideas, develop empathy, challenge assumptions and appreciate the power of language to inform, persuade, entertain and inspire.

At the heart of our approach is the belief that every pupil has a voice and every voice deserves to be heard. We seek to create a positive, supportive and stimulating learning environment in which students feel confident to express their opinions, take intellectual risks, develop their creativity and celebrate their achievements. Through discussion, debate, creative writing and critical analysis, we help our pupils become increasingly independent, resilient and reflective learners.

Key Stage 3

Year 8: Term 1: New Beginnings – Personal Writing Unit; Term 2: Novel Study; Term 3: Poetry Unit

Year 9: Term 1: Gothic Creative Writing; Term 2: Novel Study; Term 3: Macbeth

Year 10: Term 1: Romeo and Juliet; Term 2: Protest Speech Writing; Term 3: Reading Non-Fiction and Media Texts

Key Stage 4

GCSE English Language (CCEA)

https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-english-language-2017

The CCEA GCSE English Language course develops students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students learn to communicate effectively and confidently, analyse a range of texts and develop their own creative and purposeful writing.

Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts – 40%
Students develop their ability to write effectively for different purposes and audiences and to understand, analyse and evaluate a range of non-fiction and media texts. This unit is assessed through a written examination.

Unit 2: Speaking and Listening – 20%
Students develop their spoken communication skills through a range of individual and group activities. This unit is assessed through controlled assessment.

Unit 3: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts – 40%
Students produce personal or creative writing and develop their skills in reading, understanding and analysing literary and non-fiction texts. This unit is assessed through a written examination.

GCSE English Literature (CCEA)

https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-english-literature-2017

CCEA GCSE English Literature encourages students to become thoughtful and independent readers. Throughout the course, students study a range of poetry, prose and drama, developing their ability to analyse writers’ use of language, structure, character and themes and to express their ideas clearly and confidently.

Unit 1: The Study of Prose – 30%
Students study a prose text in detail, exploring areas such as characterisation, themes, narrative techniques and the writer’s use of language. This unit is assessed through a written examination.

Unit 2: The Study of Drama and Poetry – 50%
Students study a drama text and a selection of poetry. They develop their ability to analyse writers’ methods, make connections between texts and construct well-supported critical responses. This unit is assessed through a written examination.

Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare – 20%
Students study a Shakespeare play and explore aspects such as character, themes, language and dramatic techniques. This unit is assessed through controlled assessment.

Key Stage 5

A-Level English Language and Literature (WJEC)

https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/english-literature-asa-level/#tab_keydocuments

WJEC A-Level English Literature develops students’ skills in critical reading, analysis and independent thinking through the study of poetry, prose and drama.

Unit 1: Poetry and Drama – 20%
Study of poetry and a drama text.

Unit 2: Prose Study – 20%
Detailed study and comparison of prose texts.

Unit 3: Poetry – 20%
Study of pre-1900 poetry and unseen poetry.

Unit 4: Shakespeare – 20%
In-depth study of a Shakespeare play.

Unit 5: Prose Study – 20%
An independent comparative prose study, assessed through coursework.

The course provides excellent preparation for university and develops valuable skills in analysis, communication and critical thinking.

Enrichment Opportunities

Raise Her Voice – Our annual in-house public-speaking competition for girls, focused on crafting and delivering individual speeches.
Post-16 Reading Mentors – Sixth-form pupils supporting and inspiring younger readers.
Saturday School & Easter School – Targeted GCSE revision sessions delivered in collaboration with BSCR.
Soroptimist International Public Speaking – Annual entry for female pupils to deliver speeches at Stormont.