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Stromness Academy

From 2nd to 12th June 2025, we’re quietly marking the Empathy Festival—a celebration of how stories help us see the world through other people’s eyes. Research shows that as well as improving literacy and attainment, reading can help build empathy. When we read, we step into someone else’s experience—feeling their fears, hopes, challenges, and joys. It can stretch our perspective and reminds us that every life is complex, valuable, and worth understanding. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, reading offers a moment to slow down and connect—with ourselves and with others.There is also an opportunity for pupils and staff to send ‘Empathy Messages’ to other pupils or staff in the school with message slips and ‘post boxes’ available in the library and foyer. This can be to thank them for being kind, caring and helpful towards them, or for something nice they did. It is an opportunity to show appreciation.On Empathy Day, Thursday 12th June, there will be a low-key event in the library at lunchtime: a space to reflect, discover books that promote empathy and wellbeing, and maybe find a story that speaks to you in just the way that one might need.Our Empathy Collection reading list can be found here on OLIVER, our Library Catalogue: tinyurl.com/26qmna7u #EmpathyDay #ReadForEmpathy #WellbeingThroughReading #EmpathyFestival

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English

Staff

  • Mrs J. Hunter (PT)
  • Ms E. Grieve
  • Ms C. McCulloch
  • Mr M. McGeary

Department

The department consists of four classrooms on the ground floor of the school, in close proximity to the Library. We have a fifth room which combines the functions of staff base, study area for Advanced Higher pupils, and breakout space for supported pupils.

Courses

Course Choice

BGE

English S3

 

Senior Phase (S4-6)

English N4 N5

English H

English AH

 

 

BGE S1-S3

S1

In their first year with us, pupils study short units which introduce them to a variety of genres, including poetry, drama, film, and short stories. They will be expected to take part in talking and listening activities, as well as producing writing of their own in the creative and discursive/persuasive genres.

S2

The genres studied in first year are revisited in S2, at greater length and in greater depth. Extended work on drama, film, and poetry is undertaken, and the skills of critical analysis are developed. A unit on journalism is designed to coincide with BBC News Day in March, and the year finishes with the study of a novel.

S3 English

When pupils enter S3, they make choices from nine optional courses, choosing three per pupil which will be covered between August and Christmas. Although the courses take very different approaches to a variety of subjects, all pupils will be developing the same range of skills, across the same curricular areas. The year ends with two extended units, one on drama and one on a novel, which consolidate skills across the English curriculum in preparation for S3 exams.

S3 Drama

In S1 and S2, pupils have taken practical drama as part of their English course. In S3, for the first time, pupils are able to opt for Drama as a discrete subject. Work will include focus and concentration, improvisation, scripted work, and elements of performance. Pupils will develop an understanding of how to interpret a script, develop a character, and considerations of staging a performance.

Senior Phase S4-S6 (SQA)

National 3 English National 5 English
National 3 Literacy National 5 Literacy
National 4 English Higher English
National 4 Literacy Advanced Higher English

 

Ethos

As a subject where the concept of the “right answer” is hard to pin down, we value open-mindedness, and we aim to develop in pupils the ability to draw on evidence to make a case with confidence. In addition to the communication skills inherent in the study of English, the skills of flexibility and analysis are ones that are infinitely transferable, not only to the world of work, but to life in general. The more we learn, through texts, of the experiences of others, the more we are able to understand our own.

Extra-curricular

Activities on offer by the Department vary depending on demand from pupils. In addition to the usual study opportunities outwith class time, we can offer support with debating, with drama, with reading, and with advocating for a cause.

Links

Stromness Academy Online Newspaper – Young Reporter 2024

 

 

 

 

 

School logo of a Viking longship

Stromness Academy Young Reporter 2025

Mental Health Resources & Support

Disclaimer

Stromness Academy seeks to ensure that the information published on its website is up-to-date and accurate. However, the information on the website does not constitute legal or professional advice and Stromness Academy cannot accept any liability for actions or consequences arising from its use. Stromness Academy cannot be held responsible for the contents of any other website accessed through a link on our site. Stromness Academy provides these links as a convenience and inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by Stromness Academy of an external site.