English Language & Literature
Everyone has a story to tell; a confident reader becomes a confident teller, a confident listener and a confident, caring citizen.
At Loretto we are passionate about inspiring all of our pupils to discover, and shape, their own individual ‘stories’ and appreciate the wider world. The department is enthusiastic, collaborative and forward-thinking and our aim is to inspire intellectual and compassionate curiosity in every individual.
Reading underpins social, intellectual and emotional development. It helps us to understand who we are and what we may become, can provide comfort and open our eyes to ideas, places and concepts we have never thought of before. At Loretto we promote individual and collaborative reading. Reading should not be a solely solitary process, as it can provide an essential way of discovering what links us all.
Often, something in the news will provoke and direct our reading and students are actively encouraged to share their opinions of fiction and nonfiction texts. Whether it is in debating, writing their own newspapers, being part of our Creative Writing activity, or helping younger readers in the Junior School, Loretto students appreciate and acknowledge the wealth of words out there.
Form Two and Form Three pupils have four periods of English per week. Their work is informed by the practice of Junior School years, and prepares them for the future challenges of GCSE.
Fourth Form and Fifth Form pupils have five lessons per week and follow the OCR GCSE 9-1 specifications in English Language and English Literature. A small number of pupils take National 5 English.
Sixth Form pupils can take OCR A-Level English Literature. Within this course students study a minimum of eight texts, including at least two examples of the genres of prose, poetry and drama, to develop their ability to analyse and evaluate literary texts across a variety of genres and periods.