English Literature
Our Aim
It is our aim to foster and encourage a lasting enjoyment and appreciation of literature from a variety of eras, cultures and traditions.
Curriculum
- Key Stage 3
From Form 1 pupils are encouraged to read, understand and respond to various types of literary texts to enable them to develop the skills necessary for more advanced literary study.
- GCSE
Pupils follow AQA “B” specification. A folder of coursework accounts for 30% of the course and a written examination, where the pupil must answer on three texts, accounts for the remaining 70%.
- AS/A2
The CCEA English Literature specification is followed. Pupils are exposed to a wide range of literary material from Chaucer’s “The Pardoners Tale” to Roddy Doyle’s “Paddy Clarke Ha-Ha-Ha”.
Facilities & Resources
Pupils are taught by specialist teachers in subject-specific classrooms. Within the Department we have an extensive Audio-visual Library and an ICT Suite, both of which allow for enhanced study of the prescribed texts. Literary study is also promoted by our School Library, through which pupils become more independent readers and responsible for their own learning.
Additional Information
Pupils attend a wide variety of literary events such as poetry readings, bookshop visits, lectures organised by Queen’s University/University of Ulster , seminars by the School of Education (Q.U.B.) as well as film/theatre trips. The Reading Group, which consists of Sixth Form Pupils and Staff, meets regularly in the Heritage Room. A number of our pupils are selected by the Trustees of Villiers Park for participation in the Reading Parties at Foxton, Cambridge . Many of our pupils go on to study English Literature at University, including Oxford and Cambridge .
School News
SPRING CONCERT
23rd Mar 2010
Ulster Hall - 23rd March - 7.30pm
THE ACADEMY THROUGH TO SCHOOLS CUP FINAL
17th Mar 2010
16 - 12 win against Wallace High School
HOCKEY NEWS
10th Mar 2010
Shield semi-final win & selections for U15 Area Board Tournament
MUSIC NEWS
9th Mar 2010
Ballymena Music Festival
