KS4 Overview (Year 11)

 In the second year of GCSE study, teachers will continue to lead pupils in learning our final GCSE Literature text: DNA by Dennis Kelly as well as practising the skill of analysing and comparing unseen poetry. Once we have finished this study of modern drama, we spend the rest of the year revising the texts learned in Year 10 and practising English Language skills with a range of relevant and engaging texts. These are based around themes of diversity, adventure and disaster. 

In Year 11, pupils undertake two sets of trial exams before their real exams in May and June. These are scheduled for around October half term and then again in February (normally the two weeks either side of the half term breaks). These allow students to experience the rigour and expectations of GCSE exams twice before the ‘real thing’; the grades from October are also used from college applications. These trial exams allow our experienced teachers to plan their lessons specifically to address gaps in pupil knowledge and any issues that they encountered. 

From the start of Year 11, all pupils are expected to attend an extra weekly Period 6 lesson to support their progress. Extra revision sessions are provided on Saturdays with Saturday School in the library with Mr Lynn which is always well attended and reviewed by the pupils. Residential revision trips to Kingswood are organised by our Achieve team and we are lucky enough to invite a theatre company ManActoo to Firth Park Academy every year to perform abridged versions of the literature texts to pupils. 


Extra Support

What Do we offer at Firth Park Academy? 



Those pupils interested in studying English Literature or Language at college or university are encouraged to join our 'Aiming for A-Level' group. Within this group staff provide: external workshops in creative writing and analysis; reading groups with other schools across the city; lectures on texts outside the GCSE curriculum.

Mr Lynn in his element teaching the studious Year 11 Pupils on a Saturday morning 

Exams

English Exams

All final assessment at GCSE English Language and Literature is exam based. These four exams are undertaken at the end of Year 11. 

Exam board

AQA GCSE -  https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english 

Key Resources

Seneca is a revision and homework website used by teachers in all year groups. Your child will be able to access this through their school email address when they start at the academy.

BBC Bitesize is amazing for helpful revision videos and information for skills and texts for English Language

BBC Bitesize is amazing for helpful revision videos and information for skills and texts for English Literature 

Mr Bruff - GCSE revision tips and youtube videos from an ex-teacher. We often point pupils towards Mr Bruff’s clear, helpful and accurate advice. 

Textbooks/Revision Guides

The English department also provides CGP English Literature and Language revision guides at a discounted rate (£2.50 per book, compared to £8.50 RRP). These have very proved beneficial for GCSE students in the past. 

GCSE Guide - A Christmas Carol

GCSE English Literature AQA Poetry Guide: Power & Conflict 

GCSE Guide - Macbeth

GCSE English Language Revision Guide

GCSE English Language Exam Practice Workbook