| 6th | 7th | |
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| Higher |  |
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| AS Level | |
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| A Level | |
All pupils in 6ths study English except those taking Further Mathematics. The Higher course provides the opportunity to develop a variety of critical responses to both fiction and non-fiction and to explore the ways in which language works to influence us. Not only is this a valuable grounding for life but it forms an essential qualification for most career paths.
Entry Requirements
For entry to this course, a minimum of two B grades at GCSE English and English Literature or a credit level at Standard Grade is required. However, automatic entry is not guaranteed unless teachers are agreed that a pupil is capable of sustaining both the intellectual rigour and the endeavour that is demanded by Higher. If any do take up the course and subsequently find that they are struggling, the opportunity will arise after a month to move to the more accessible Intermediate 2 course. Intermediate 2 is an alternative to Higher and one level below it.
Progression
For those intending to go on to study A-Level, there will be two dedicated sets where one of the AS modules is integrated into the Higher course. This means that the texts studied will be of an advanced quality and be chosen from the AS-Level syllabus. Candidates will then take three more Units in the following year to make up their A-Level.
There is provision in the Sevenths for pupils to re-take Higher English as appropriate. There is also the opportunity for some to take two years to Higher, proceeding via the Intermediate 2 qualification.
Course Syllabus
The course involves the following: detailed study of three literary texts from each of the three genres of poetry, prose and drama; a personal literary study of individual choice; a piece of creative, refl ective or argumentative writing; and a careful examination of the various ways in w hich writers of non-fi ction create effect and convey meaning.
Assessment at Higher involves a combination of internally assessed Units and external examination.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Four aspects of Higher English will be internally assessed by means of the following hour long Unit Tests:
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EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
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Internal Assessment is on a pass/fail basis. The material may be used for estimating grades and as evidence for appeal, which should pre-empt any temptation for students to be complacent. 
The examination in May involves two papers, each of an hour and a half long:This page is: Edinburgh Academy / curriculum / english / higher.htm
