English

Course Outline:

GCSE English Language will develop your reading and writing skills. You will analyse a range of nonfiction texts written between the 19th century and the 21st century, covering a range of themes and genres such as letters, autobiographies, opinion articles and diaries or essays, reviews and journalism. You will also analyse fiction extracts from the 20^th and 21^st century. You will develop your writing so that you can write in a range of different styles, as well as for different audiences.

You will study a range of extracts from texts on different topics and themes to develop your knowledge about how writers use language and structure to influence and interest their audiences. These extracts will be from both fiction and nonfiction texts written from 1800 to the present day. You will have the opportunity to develop your creative writing in a wide range of styles for a range of different purposes and audiences. You will build upon the techniques you already know from Key Stage 3 so that you are able to express your views in a way that will achieve the maximum amount of impact on your audience.

In Year 10, students will study how fiction writers use language and how they structure their texts for effect. You will also develop descriptive writing using pictures and develop skills in structuring a narrative.

In Year 11, students will study the perspective of non fiction writers and how they convey ideas and viewpoints. You will write in a variety of non fiction styles, being persuasive or developing a viewpoint. You will perform a speech on a topic you are interested in.

In Year 11, students will study past papers and practise answers for Paper 1 and 2.

Qualification Gained: GCSE

Course Outline:

GCSE English Literature will develop your reading and analysis skills. You will read a variety of texts by many different authors from different time periods.

You will have nine lessons of English a fortnight in which time both the GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature courses will be delivered. You will study a wide range of texts including “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' by R.L. Stevenson and “An Inspector Calls” by J.B. Priestley. You will also study a collection of poetry on the theme of “Power and Conflict” or “Love and Relationships” and learn how to analyse “unseen” poems.

In Year 10, students will study JB Priestley ‘An Inspector Calls’ and 15 poems from the AQA Anthology.

In Year 10, students will study Shakespeare ‘Macbeth’ In Year 11, students will study RL Stevenson ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ or Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Unseen poetry.

Qualification Gained: GCSE