Broad General Education
The Carrick Academy curriculum follows a broad, general English course from S1-S3. Learners are given many opportunities to experience a wide range of 3rd and 4th level English and Literacy Experiences and Outcomes in the areas of reading, writing, listening and talking. Our English curriculum is key to supporting and developing the knowledge, skills, attributes and capabilities of the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence (successful learners; confident individuals; responsible citizens and effective contributors).
Our BGE curriculum presents learners with lots of opportunities to develop the skills required to be successful in achieving the appropriate National Qualification in Senior Phase, as well as preparing them for life beyond school.
Learners will study a wide range of different text forms such as poetry, drama, moving image, prose and non-fiction. They will share ideas and explore concepts through class discussions, individual and paired work. Through the study of a wide range of literature, all learners are encouraged to develop a sound understanding of concepts such as characterisation, theme, setting, style and structure. As well as developing their analytical skills, learners will explore key ideas within texts and consider how these bare relevance to their own lives.
Learners are presented with many opportunities to develop their own written skills through a variety of creative tasks. Together they will explore different genres of writing and learn to apply the language skills they have previously developed to engage their readers. In addition they will use these skills to create various presentations to share in class.
Our BGE curriculum presents learners with lots of opportunities to develop the skills required to be successful in achieving the appropriate National Qualification in Senior Phase, as well as preparing them for life beyond school.
Learners will study a wide range of different text forms such as poetry, drama, moving image, prose and non-fiction. They will share ideas and explore concepts through class discussions, individual and paired work. Through the study of a wide range of literature, all learners are encouraged to develop a sound understanding of concepts such as characterisation, theme, setting, style and structure. As well as developing their analytical skills, learners will explore key ideas within texts and consider how these bare relevance to their own lives.
Learners are presented with many opportunities to develop their own written skills through a variety of creative tasks. Together they will explore different genres of writing and learn to apply the language skills they have previously developed to engage their readers. In addition they will use these skills to create various presentations to share in class.
National 4
This is a varied and interesting course which will develop the English and literacy skills that all young people need both for school and for the world of work.
Course structure
All four aspects of English (reading, writing, talking and listening) have equal value in the National 4 course and all are compulsory in order to receive a National 4 award. The course includes a number of outcomes:
Study of Literature
Throughout the National 4 English course, all young people will study a wide variety of literature, including novels, poetry, drama and media. They will also engage in reading for pleasure.
Conditions of award
National 4 Courses are graded “Pass” or “Fail” and learners must pass all of the required Units to achieve the award.
Course structure
All four aspects of English (reading, writing, talking and listening) have equal value in the National 4 course and all are compulsory in order to receive a National 4 award. The course includes a number of outcomes:
- English: Analysis and Evaluation (National 4)
- English: Creation and Production (National 4)
- Literacy (National 4)
- Added Value Unit: English Assignment (National 4)
Study of Literature
Throughout the National 4 English course, all young people will study a wide variety of literature, including novels, poetry, drama and media. They will also engage in reading for pleasure.
Conditions of award
National 4 Courses are graded “Pass” or “Fail” and learners must pass all of the required Units to achieve the award.
National 5
The main purpose of this course is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop the skills of reading, writing, talking and listening in order to understand and to use language which is detailed in content. The course offers opportunities to develop and extend a wide range of skills.
The course consists of an external exam, folio and a spoken language assessment.
The Exam
The Writing Folio
Spoken Language Assessment (pass or fail only)
This is a compulsory internal assessment where learners will be expected to complete an individual presentation comparing a book and film.
The course consists of an external exam, folio and a spoken language assessment.
The Exam
- Paper one: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (RUAE)
- Paper two: Critical Reading
- Overall the exam makes up 70% of the total award.
The Writing Folio
- This part of the course makes up the remaining 30% of marks. Learners must produce two pieces of writing to be externally assessed by the SQA at the end of March. One must be a broadly discursive essay (ranging from a basic transactional report, to a piece which is strongly persuasive in nature). The second piece of writing should be creative (for example a short story, drama script, poetry or a personal (non-fiction) essay which should show maturity and reflection. Each essay is worth 15% and the word limit is 1,000. In order to qualify for submission, the work in this part of the course must be entirely the work of the learner.
Spoken Language Assessment (pass or fail only)
This is a compulsory internal assessment where learners will be expected to complete an individual presentation comparing a book and film.
Higher
The course provides learners with opportunities to develop and extend a wide range of skills with growing independence and, by studying language which is detailed and complex in nature, learners will further develop the skills of reading, writing, talking and listening.
Like National Five, this course is a combination of an external exam, folio and a spoken language assessment. Although the elements are the same, the complexity of the texts studied increases providing considerable challenge to learners.
The Exam
The Writing Folio
Like National Five, this course is a combination of an external exam, folio and a spoken language assessment. Although the elements are the same, the complexity of the texts studied increases providing considerable challenge to learners.
The Exam
- Paper one: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation (RUAE)
- Paper two: Critical Reading
The Writing Folio
- Just as in National Five, candidates must complete a broadly discursive essay (worth 15%) and a creative essay (worth 15%). The difference, again, is both in the complexity of the ideas expected and the increasing competence and sophistication of style of the writing produced. The word limit is increased to 1,300 per essay. In order to prepare for this element pupils will be expected to independently seek out and study other short stories and articles by prominent writers.
- This is a compulsory internal assessment where learners will be expected to analyse two newspaper articles and present their analysis of key ideas, and the use of language, to the class.
Advanced Higher
Learners are given the opportunity to develop the skills of reading, writing, talking and listening in the context of complex and sophisticated literature and language. Independence is encouraged throughout - learners choose their own texts for study and are given opportunities to showcase their writing skills in genres that they enjoy. They will also further develop their linguistic skills through the critical analysis and evaluation of a variety of texts such as prose, drama and poetry.
The course assessment is weighted as follows:
Dissertation (worth 30%)
Folio (worth 30%)
Exam (worth 40%)
The course assessment is weighted as follows:
Dissertation (worth 30%)
- This is an extended essay with a 3500 word limit comparing two texts. It is worked on throughout the year and sent to SQA towards the end of the course for grading.
Folio (worth 30%)
- This consists of two pieces of writing covering two different genres of the learners’ choosing. The work will be sophisticated and complex in both style and content and is entirely the work of the learner. This work is also sent to SQA for grading.
Exam (worth 40%)
- Paper One - Literary Study
- Paper Two -Textual Analysis