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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 Wife of Bath’s Tale” to Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”.

 

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

BOYS’ ATHLETICS RESULTS

13th May 2008

District Championships, Antrim Forum

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GIRLS’ ATHLETICS RESULTS

12th May 2008

District Championships, Antrim Forum

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CHESS RESULTS

12th May 2008

UK Chess Challenge Megafinal of Northern Ireland

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SHOWJUMPING RESULTS

12th May 2008

Ulster Schools’ Showjumping Spring Championships

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