BGE Courses

In the Broad General Education (BGE), which runs from S1-S3, learners develop their skills in the four key aspects of English and Literacy: reading, writing, listening and talking. 

Some of the key skills learners develop include:

• Finding, organising and using information

• Understanding, analysing and evaluating the texts they listen to, watch, and read

• Creating their own texts for a range of purposes

• Reading, listening and writing for enjoyment

• Making choices and exploring their own interests

• Communicating accurately and effectively

Learners will have the chance to study a range of texts, including short stories, poems, novels, plays and films. They demonstrate their learning about texts through discussion, critical essays and creative responses.

Learners will have the opportunity to write creatively in a range of genres, such as autobiography, short fiction, scriptwriting, and poetry. They will also learn how to write to inform and persuade their audience.

Throughout the S1-S3 courses, learners will be encouraged to engage with themes and issues of personal, social and global relevance.

In S3, learners continue to follow the BGE curriculum while building the skills they need for the Senior Phase (S4-S6).

All of our young people get an experience of Drama in S1. They cover a range of topics through story-based units including: Burgular Billie (Mime & Movement), I'm A Celebrity (Voice), Haunted House (Immersive Theatre) and Scary Scotland (Characterisation). Through these units they also develop skills such as communication, team working, presentation and creativity. 

S2 begin by developing their skills firstly through looking at Mime to the story of Sweeny Todd where they focus on collaboration, and problem solving. They then move onto Voice, by exploring the radio drama Spooky Hill which allows them to develop their communication and presenting skills. Characterisation follows on from this with S2 learning about Characterisation through the story of Harry Potter and after this, they look at Darkwood Manor which brings all their prior learning together to focus on improvisation and builds on the skills of knowledge recall and creativity

Young people will explore creating their own Dramas at the beginning of S3 allowing them to develop their storytelling, presentation and collaboration skills. They will also explore behind the scenes of a performance by looking at production skills such as lighting, costume and special effects make-up.