Bell Baxter High School

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Welcome to the English Faculty

The English Faculty is committed to promoting high levels of achievement in literacy for all pupils; a life- long love of reading;  creativity; critical thinking; an awareness of  their own, and others’ cultures and experiences, through the study of language, literature and media.  Personal reading is actively encouraged in each year group, through library periods and personal reading time in class.

The curriculum across all year groups offers the opportunity to engage with novels, short stories, non-fiction articles, film, documentaries, plays and poetry.  Texts will be explored through group activities as well as individual work, and students will practise textual analysis, as well as critical essays.  Discussion, listening and presentation skills are an integral part of the pupils’ experiences in English.  Students also have opportunities to use their imagination and to produce their own creative pieces, developing skills in style and structure.

 

Members of the Faculty

 

 

BGE English

S1 Course Outline

The S1 course builds on the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills pupils have acquired in primary school, while also introducing learners to new and more complex concepts.
 
In S1 English, pupils will:

  • Study a variety of texts – novels, poems, films, and dramas – and begin to analyse them critically.

  • Enhance their understanding of language and literary technique through close reading exercises.

  • Hone their technical writing skills by practising spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

  • Develop their writing skills by learning to produce imaginative, persuasive, and personal pieces.

  • Build their speaking skills by preparing and delivering solo talks and participating effectively in group discussions.

  • Learn to look for and pick out key information from audio texts like documentaries.

  • Routinely make guided and independent use of the school’s library.

  • Pupil's will also take part in The Excellence Project. This is an independent project where pupils will respond critically and creatively to their own personal reading from throughout the year.

S2 Course Outline

The S2 course builds on the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills pupils develop in their first year of secondary school, while also introducing learners to new and increasingly complex concepts.
 
In S2, pupils will:

  • Study a variety of texts – novels, poems, films, and dramas – and begin to analyse them in close critical depth, and through increasingly advanced terminology.

  • Continue to expand their understanding of language and literary technique through close reading exercises.

  • Continue to hone their technical writing skills by practising spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

  • Develop their writing skills by producing imaginative, persuasive, and personal pieces of greater complexity and depth than they have before.

  • Build their speaking skills by preparing and delivering solo talks and participating effectively in group discussions. They will do so more independently than in S1.

  • Practise looking for and pick out key information from audio texts like documentaries.

  • Continue to make guided and independent use of the school’s library.

  • Pupils produce The Excellent Project – presentation based on personal reading.

S3 Course Outline

The S3 course builds on the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills pupils develop in S1 and S2, and prepares them for the challenges of the senior phase.

In S3, pupils will:

  • Study a variety of texts – novels, poems, films, and dramas, many of them famous classics – and  analyse them in close critical depth. Pupils will become more comfortable using proper critical terminology.

  • Continue to expand their understanding of language and literary technique through close reading exercises.

  • Continue to hone their technical writing skills by practising spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

  • Develop their writing skills by producing imaginative, persuasive, and personal pieces of greater complexity and depth than they have before.

  • Build their speaking skills by preparing and delivering solo talks and participating effectively in group discussions. They will be expected to do so more independently than in S2.

  • Practise looking for and picking out key information from audio texts like documentaries.

Senior Phase English

Nat 4 English

3 Units and An Added Value Unit.

  • Analysis and Evaluation - the receptive skills of reading and listening to understand, analyse and evaluate texts

  • Creation and Production – the productive skills of writing and talking to create oral and written texts

  • Literacy – the four skills of reading, listening, writing and talking in forms relevant to learning, life and work

  • Added Value Unit: English Assignment 

 

What skills will my child develop?

  • Active and independent learning by setting personal targets, reviewing and reflecting on progress and deciding next steps

  • A blend of classroom approaches including whole class, small group or one to one discussions; direct interactive teaching

  • Collaborative learning: in groups or pairs to encourage team-working, relationship-building, the verbalisation of ideas; with learners in other curricular areas to reinforce and transfer skills

  • Space for personalisation and choice: selecting texts and ways of showing evidence (presentation, e-document, critical essay); choice of Assignment topic

  • Applying learning

  • Embedding literacy skills: selecting and assessing information, presenting findings; evaluating; debating; listening, reading, writing

  • The Added Value Unit (Assignment) allows learners to choose a topic, research it and present their findings orally or in writing.

 

Assessment

  • To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units including the Assignment

  • Units are assessed as pass or fail by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)

  • Unit Assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could be digital or spoken presentations, posters, leaflets, extended writing, notes or podcasts. Learners may use these to build a portfolio to show their progress through the Units

  • The Assignment will involve an oral presentation or an essay

National 4 progresses onto National 5

 

National 5 Course Outline

Skills

What skills will my child develop?

  • Understanding, explaining, analysing and evaluating detailed texts (language, literature and media) in oral and written forms

  • Creating, structuring and producing detailed texts for different purposes

  • Developing detailed language skills in language, literature and media contexts

  • Using different media for learning and communication

  • Social and interpersonal skills

  • Identifying sources, selecting and using information

  • Planning, researching and decision-making

  • Effective questioning and reflection

  • Justifying ideas with evidence

  • Communicating ideas, feelings and information orally and in writing with technical accuracy

  • Understanding how language works

  • Developing cultural awareness

  • Using creative and critical thinking to synthesise ideas and arguments

Assessment

  • The course will be assessed through a performance, a portfolio and two question papers. It will be graded A to D.

  • The performance is assessed internally by the teacher as 'achieved' or 'not achieved'. Learners show their talking and listening skills by taking part in a group discussion or giving a presentation.

  • The portfolio is worth 30 marks and makes up 30% of the total mark. Learners will produce two different texts (one creative and one discursive/argumentative) to show they can write for different purposes.

  • The 'Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation' question paper is worth 30 marks and makes up 30% of the total assessment mark. Learners answer a series of questions on a passage of previously unseen non-fiction text.

  • The 'Critical Reading' question paper is worth 40 marks and makes up 40% of the total assessment mark. In section 1, learners answer questions on a Scottish text they have studied in class. In section 2, learners answer one essay question on a different text they have studied in class.

  • The portfolio and question papers are marked externally by SQA.



Higher Course Outline

Skills

  • Learners will be able to:

  • listen, talk, read and write, as appropriate to purpose, audience and context

  • understand, analyse and evaluate texts, including Scottish texts, as appropriate to purpose and audience in the contexts of literature, language and media

  • create and produce texts, as appropriate to purpose, audience and context

  • apply knowledge and understanding of language

 

Opportunities for Learners

Learners will be able to:

  • use different media for learning and communication

  • understand how language works

  • use language to communicate ideas and information in English

  • think creatively and critically

  • appreciate a wide range of literature and texts

  • develop detailed and complex language skills

 

Assessment

The course assessment has four components: two question papers (exams), portfolio-writing and performance-spoken language.

  • The question papers and portfolio will be marked by SQA and graded A to D.

  • The performance-spoken language is internally assessed and marked as Achieved / Not achieved.

  • Paper 1 Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation 1 hour 30 minutes, 30 marks Two non-fiction pieces of writing are given, with questions

  • Paper 2 Critical Reading 1 hour 30 minutes, 40 marks Different genres (prose, poetry, drama) must be chosen for Section 1 and Section 2 Section 1 Scottish Texts Section 2 Critical Essay

Portfolio Two written texts of no more than 1,300 words, demonstrate the learner’s ability to write for different purposes: broadly creative and broadly discursive. Learners work independently and there is no time limit apart from the submission guidelines. 30 marks Performance Learners can take part in a group discussion or prepare and present a presentation.

 

Communications and Literature 1 - National Award SCQF Level 6

 

Communication and Literature 1 are two separate National Awards. However, there are opportunities for integrated assessment to deliver Communication and Literature 1 in tandem.

These National Awards are designed to provide the candidate with skills in understanding, analysing, evaluating and using complex, formal English in a range of written and spoken forms. They can be used to bridge the gap between National 5 and Higher, although some colleges will accept this qualification as a Higher equivalent.

 

Communication Outcomes:

  • Analyse and Evaluate Complex Written Communication.

  • Produce Complex Written Communication.

  • Analyse and Evaluate Complex Spoken Communication.

  • Deliver and participate in complex spoken communication.

 

Literature 1 Outcomes:

  • Analyse and Evaluate Literature in Different Genres.

  • Critically Respond to Unseen Literary Texts.

 

Scottish Studies SCQF Level 5

The purpose of this Award is to allow learners to broaden their knowledge of Scotland whilst also developing and applying skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to their chosen subject areas. Learners will have a choice of Units, from a range of subject areas, which they can study in a Scottish context.

The main aims of the Award are to give learners the opportunity to:

  • develop and apply skills, knowledge and understanding in their chosen subject areas

  • make connections across these areas by studying them in a Scottish context

  • develop an understanding of the contribution that Scotland and its people, past and/or present, have made, and continue to make, in these areas

  • reflect on the place of Scotland within the wider context of the United Kingdom, Europe and/or the rest of the world

  • explore an aspect of Scottish Studies that is of particular interest to them

  • develop the skills of planning and using information, and basic skills of reflection

 

Advanced Higher Course Outline

In many respects, Advanced Higher English more closely resembles a university course than its preceding Higher. Candidates at Advanced Higher will be expected to show independence of thought, create writing of complexity, and analyse literature to a great degree of depth.     

How is Advanced Higher English assessed?

60% of a candidate's Advanced Higher score is assessed through coursework; 40% is assessed through a final exam.

I. Coursework
Candidates at Advanced Higher must submit a portfolio of writing (30%) and a critical dissertation (30%) to the SQA.
Portfolio
Candidates must submit two pieces of writing. Unlike National 5 and Higher, there is no maximum word count for Advanced Higher folio pieces. Pupils' pieces must represent two of the following genres: persuasive, informative, argumentative, poetry, prose fiction, drama, or personal/reflective.

Dissertation
The Advanced Higher dissertation requires pupils to independently select pieces of literature - two novels, six short stories, or five to six poems - and write an extended essay of 2500-3000 words critically analysing them. The Advanced Higher dissertation stresses independence: with guidance, pupils will choose the texts and the topic of their dissertation, and research it.

II. Exam
The final exam consists of two papers, each worth 20% of a candidate's grade.
Paper 1: Literary Study (90 minutes)
In this paper, pupils will write a critical essay which asks them to compare and contrast two texts studied in class.
Paper 2: Textual Analysis (90 minutes)
In this paper pupils will be presented with a piece of literature, or an extract from a longer piece of literature, which they have not seen before. They will be asked a mini-essay question requiring them to analyse and critically evaluate it.

 

 

Career Pathways

This is a very important time for our pupils and it is important that as much advice as possible is available from staff, Skills Development Scotland and parents/carers. This will enable our senior pupils to make informed decisions regarding their education and course choices. For pupils returning in S5 and S6 it is vital that they consider the commitment to study which is required in the senior school. Our curriculum is structured to allow for a wide variety of courses and levels of study. 

It is important that all pupils have considered in advance why they have chosen to return to school and that they are being focused on their intended destination.

 

 

Celebrating Success

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Remote Learning - Links

Bell Baxter Resources

English Literacy on Twitter

Follow the English faculty for all the latest information on what is happening in and around the school related to English and Literacy. Here we will post updates to events, projects and achievements by all pupils and staff. We will also recommend some reading for pupils and adults alike. A fun way to stay up to date with everything that is happening. Use the link or @BBHS_Literacy

Bell Baxter YouTube

Join us for updates on everything that is happening around the school. From pupil productions to updates on events and activities, we hope to keep you updated as best we can. You'll also find helpful guides and tutorials for pupils and adults on how to use programmes such as Glow, Teams and much more. 

 

External Resources

BBC Bitesize

What is Bitesize?

BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework! It provides support for learners aged 5 to 16+ across a wide range of school subjects. It also supports children and young people’s wellbeing and career choices. It is suitable for all ages and subjects across the curriculum.

National Parent Forum of Scotland

The Forum works in partnership with national and local government and other organisations involved in education and child wellbeing issues to ensure that parents play a full and equal role in education. The overall aim is to help every child to maximise their potential through their school life. The Forum also offers the handy Nationals in a Nutshell documents, which break down courses into understandable facts and information.

 

Apps

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is how teachers will communicate with pupils outwith of school. Each teacher will set up their classes through Teams and issue homework, handouts, and assignments in this manner. Teams is available as an app on most devices, as well as through Glow. We recommend that pupils use the app to access their work.

 

Click on this link for instructions on how to access Teams. 

Click on this link to access information on how to CHECK NOTEBOOK FOR WORK.

Click on this link to access information on how to HAND IN WORK WITH ASSIGNMENTS.

 

Office Lens

Office Lens is a handy app that turns your smart device into a scanner. This can be used for scanning work from the whiteboard in school or any assignments completed at home. It is part of the Microsoft suite so it has Teams integration, making submitting work easier. It is also helpful for maintaining and organising notes from jotters and loose leaf paper.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 



 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 
 



 

 
 

 

Bell Baxter High School