Language is central to our lives. We use it to structure our thoughts, communicate with others and learn about the world around us. We develop our skills in listening, talking, reading and writing in order to fulfil our potential as human beings and play a full role in our community.

The English Department at Hermitage Academy is one of the biggest in the school, which reflects the importance of language study in every part of the curriculum. Every pupil from S1 to S5 has to study in the Department and there is a range of courses to suit all ability levels.

Departmental Staff

Mrs. L. Duncan (Head of Department)

Mr. A. Allan

Mrs. J. Brown

Mr. R. Cassells (Depute Head)

Mrs. P. Cooper

Miss J. Mackinnon

Miss S. McCaffer

Mrs. C. McElroy

Miss J. Morrison

Miss P. Reid

Mrs. K. Reynolds

Mrs. R. Shearer

Mrs. A. Watson

Courses

S1 and S2
'Language enables children both to communicate with others effectively for a variety of purposes and to examine their own and others' experiences, feelings and ideas, giving them order and meaning.... The school can best order or structure English language work by referring to the four outcomes of language - listening, talking, reading and writing - and the purposes for which they are normally used.'

English Language 5-14: National Guidelines
The course in S1 and S2 builds on the work done in primary school. Most work is based on the study of literary texts. In the course of the session, each class will experience each of the different genres: novel/short stories; drama; poetry. There is also material available for Media study. The choice of text is decided by the class teacher ,informed by National Assessment levels . Pupils also develop their language skills, with time spent on spelling, punctuation, grammar and figures of speech. During the course of the year, each section will cover Personal/Imaginative Writing, Informative/ Functional Writing and Critical Essays. At appropriate points in both S1/S2 all pupils will tackle Close Reading assessments at appropriate levels. Pupils will, throughout S1 and again in S2, create a Writing Folio.

The Department is currently working to create new S1 course to fulfil the requirements of A Curriculum for Excellence.

S3

From August 2009, pupils in S3 will begin to work towards a National Qualification and will develop familiarity with the elements of the relevant NQ course throughout S3. At the end of S4 your son/daughter will be presented at the level at which he/she is most likely to achieve success and which is best suited to his/her progress/aptitude – Access 3, Intermediate 1 or Intermediate 2. Any pupil whose progress through the Intermediate course is causing concern can be presented at Access 3. All pupils are able to achieve success within the NQ framework. Access 3 leads to Intermediate courses, which in turn lead to Higher and then Advanced Higher.

Achievement of Intermediate 1 in S4 provides the ideal preparation for Intermediate 2 in S5; achievement of Intermediate 2 in S4 provides the ideal preparation for Higher in S5.

It is essential that pupils embarking on Access/ Intermediate courses understand the importance of consistent effort and the necessity of achieving passes in the required Units.

S5 and S6

S5 classes are created when the Department receives Standard Grade/Intermediate results from the SQA. Pupils who have done particularly well in Standard Grade or who have achieved Intermediate 2, are encouraged to sit Higher in S5. For many, the most sensible option is to work towards Higher by studying at Access or Intermediate levels. The Department encourages pupils to take a course which will allow them to progress and achieve. Many pupils opt for the Intermediate 2 course in S5 with a view to sitting Higher in S6.

After successful completion of the Higher in S5, S6 pupils, who have a particular interest in the subject, can study for an award at Advanced Higher level.

Further information about S5 & S6 courses can be obtained at the Scottish Qualifications Agency website