St John's RC AcademyEnglish and Literacy
Staff
The English department has four full time experienced members of staff:
Mrs. Bremner – Head of Department.
Mrs. Halliburton
Mr. Blair
Mrs Dalgarno
Mrs Reilly
Each teaching room is well equipped and has an interactive smart board. We offer a wide range of courses at National level.
BGE
In S1 and S2, pupils have four English lessons per week, covering experiences and outcomes in Reading, Writing, Listening and Talk. One of these periods focuses explicitly on reinforcing and consolidating Literacy skill sets. We cover a range of topics such as: creative and discursive writing, the study of genres such as prose, poetry, film, Scots Language and presentation skills.
S1 and S2 classes have designated library periods, every two weeks. We encourage a reading culture for our pupils and are working towards a Reading Schools Award.
In S3, all pupils continue with four English lessons per week, and we start to prepare for the National 4 and National 5 courses that they will follow in S4.
Senior Phase
In S4, pupils follow the National 5 English and National 5 Literacy courses. The National 4 English and Literacy courses are offered to pupils better suited to trying for National 5 in S5 or S6.
In S5 & S6, pupils can choose to continue their English studies at National 5 and Higher. S6 pupils have an opportunity to study Advanced Higher English.
Homework
Regular homework plays a vital role in the development and consolidation of English and Literacy. Homework is set on Microsoft Teams, printed worksheets, preparatory reading or finishing off classwork.
S1 Homework
S1 homework is assigned on Mondays and is due for the following Monday. Homework can be accessed via the Assignments tab in Teams. Alternatively, the homework booklet and timeline can be accessed in the Files tab of the Team. Pupils who do not have access to ICT at home can request a printed homework booklet, or they can complete homework in school at lunchtime.
Nat 5 and Higher
National 5 and Higher pupils will be given RUAE homework every second week. The expectation is that on alternate weeks, they should be using their time to study or complete work which was not finished in class.
Extra-Curricular
The department offers study support sessions to all pupils either during lunch-time, or after school.
Additional creative writing opportunities are available to pupils through a lunch-time writing club and encourage pupils to enter a range of writing competitions.
Literacy for All
During registration, we currently have a regular focus on Literacy for All. This covers word endings, apostrophes, semi colons, commas etc.
Online Study Resources
BGE Levels 3 and 4:
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zbdxvcw
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z38myrd
National 4, 5 and Higher
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/zp3d7ty
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmcrd2p
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zqxhfg8
explainitagain.org - YouTube
www.brightredbooks.net/subjects
(Pupils will need to create a login for this resource).
Advanced Higher
www.understandingstandards.org.uk/Subjects/English/advanced
www.shetland.gov.uk/downloads/file/3462/fiction-suggestions-for-advanced-higher-english
readitinyourownterms.wordpress.com