English is about developing confident communication skills, and enjoyment of literature at all levels. Within our department there is a strong emphasis on active teaching and learning, promoting personal responsibility and a sense of achievement.

At Key Stage 3 classes are streamed and work is differentiated appropriately. All pupils in years 8/9 follow our new schemes of work in line with the revised curriculum. We are currently working on a year 10 programme, increasing our use of ICT and multi-modal approaches.

Drama is offered as a discrete subject and taught in our purpose-built drama studio. Pupils also receive a library skills period. They follow an in-house reading award scheme in our well stocked library assisted by the school librarian. Several classroom assistants are also trained in Reading Partnership and provide catch up support in year 8, as required.

Pupil assessment is carried out through continuous assessment/ Listening, Reading and Writing and end of year examinations. English merits are used to reward exceptional work. Pupils also familiar with peer and self-assessment and setting personal targets in English.

At Key Stage 4 pupils are streamed and we offer 3 courses at present:
English language/literature, English language and ELQ English.
Pupils continue to develop a critical awareness of a wide range of genre and teaching is active, practical and meaningful. 

The English department has always participated in a range of initiatives, for example, Shakespeare links, Readathon and the Belfast Telegraph’s `well read`  scheme . We enjoy theatre visits and we run an active junior Drama Club. Over the years we have put on many successful school productions, the most recent being ‘Grease’ to help celebrate the school’s 50th birthday.
We also work with other clubs like the Geography club and several colleagues are active in the Scripture Union .