English
What will I learn?
You will study both GCSE English Language and English Literature.
You will also be required to confidently and competently write narratives, descriptions and a range of non-fiction texts paying particular attention to content, organisation, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling.
In GCSE English Language, students will learn skills concentrating on reading, writing and speaking and listening. There is an increased focus on accuracy of English use which will enable you to understand how English can be applied to your life in the real world.
GCSE English Literature will develop your interest in reading a range of texts. You will study a Shakespeare play, a 19th Century novel, a contemporary play or a contemporary novel, and a range of poetry.
How is English Language assessed?
GCSE English Language will be assessed by external examinations at the end of Year 11. There will no longer be any internal assessments or coursework
In English Language, you will be prepared for two examinations:
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1 hour and 45 minutes).
You will be assessed on reading an unseen literature fiction text (25%) and writing a descriptive or narrative piece (25%)
Paper 2: Writers’ Perspectives and Viewpoints (1 hour and 45 minutes)
You will be assessed on reading one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text (25%) and writing to present a viewpoint (25%)
You will also be required to present an oral presentation and respond to questions whilst using Standard English. This is a course requirement but has 0% weighting towards your final grade.
How is English Literature assessed?
GCSE English Literature will be assessed by external examinations at the end of year 11. There will no longer be any internal assessments or coursework.
In English Literature, you will be prepared for two examinations. You will study a Shakespeare play, a 19th century novel, a contemporary play or novel and a range of seen and unseen poetry.
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel (1 hour and 45 minutes)
Section A: You will be required to write in detail about an extract from a Shakespeare play and then write about the play as a whole. You play you will study is ‘Macbeth’.
Section B: You will be required to write in detail about an extract from a 19th century novel and then write about the novel as a whole. You will study ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens.
This examination is worth 40% of the GCSE Literature grade.
Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (2 hour and 15 minutes)
Section A: You will be required to write an essay on either ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B Priestley.
Section B: You will answer one comparative question on one named poem in the exam paper and one of your choice from the ‘Power and Conflict’ cluster.
Section C: You will answer one question on two unseen poems.
This examination is worth 60% of the GCSE Literature grade.
Other Information
You will be expected to be fully equipped with black pens, pencils and a highlighter.
Students also will be expected to buy their own texts for use at home. The poetry anthology will be provided by the English Department. Parents will be contacted about the texts via Parentmail closer to the time.
Who to contact if you need more information
Miss Arksey, Faculty Leader of Communications
English Langiage 8700 Specification.pdfEnglish Literature 8702 Specification.pdf