The English Department in Fort Hill Integrated College is vibrant and forward thinking. We aim to provide a learning environment which promotes enjoyment of all aspects of English. Our team of eight English specialists promote a rich and varied curriculum that enables students to grow in confidence and fulfil their maximum potential in all skills areas, both inside and outside the classroom, and in examinations.

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Again this year’s GCSE English language results were outstanding with 85% of pupils achieving  A* - C grades. This is significantly higher than the NI average of 77% for non-grammar schools. We were also delighted with our most recent GCSE English Literature results: 94% of our pupils achieved A*-C grades against a 92% NI average.

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For pupils who would like to carry on their studies into key stage 5, we also offer A Level English Literature as an option. All pupils who have undertaken this CCEA course with us have enjoyed high levels of success, with many going on to study English or other related subjects at university. We are immensely proud to have maintained a consecutive 100% A*-C A level Literature pass rate since 2018.

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All our pupils are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities throughout the year. We run several extracurricular clubs such as Drama Club and the exceedingly popular Harry Potter Club. Year 8 pupils enjoy taking part in our internal Off By Heart Poetry Performance Competition and look forward to taking part in a trip to see a pantomime; Year 9 Pupils participate in our annual creative writing contest and the annual Read-On event, where top fundraisers take pleasure in visiting Daisy Lodge in Newcastle for the day. We also host an annual Public Speaking competition for our Year 11 pupils which is generously sponsored by Baker McKenzie International Law firm. Our Year 12 and 13 pupils have enjoyed considerable success in external public speaking competitions such as those run by the Soroptimist Society and the Edgar Graham Memorial competition hosted annually at Stormont. These are just a sample of some of the events and initiatives that are organised and run within the English department each year.

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All KS3 pupils can expect to study Drama as an integral part of the English Curriculum. Pupils enjoy engaging with and performing Drama texts from Anne Fine’s Blabbermouth to the ever-popular Blood Brothers by Willy Russell in Year 10. Key skills such as hot-seating, conscience alley, tableaux, freeze frame and thought tracking are explored fully.

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KS3 pupils also have one period of Literacy per week where the focus is on improving reading, writing and spelling skills. All KS3 pupils take part in our unique Reading Log Challenge Programme which is designed to raise reading attainment. Reading skills are tracked in Year 8 and reading intervention strategies are employed to enable pupils who are underachieving in their reading to make progress.