English
English Language
External Examinations: 100%
For English Language there are two examinations and no coursework requirement.
Paper 1 is based upon responding to an unseen piece of fiction. In Section B, students are required to write a piece of creative or descriptive writing.
Paper 2 is based upon two unseen non-fiction sources. One of these sources is a 19th Century text and the other is a modern text. The readings could be taken from newspaper articles, letters, diaries or reports. In Section B, students must write an opinion or persuasive piece of writing that is linked to the theme of the reading texts Paper 1 and Paper 2 account for 50% of the overall mark each.
English Literature
For English Literature there are two examinations and no coursework requirement.
Paper 1 accounts for 40% of the overall grade and is based on a Shakespeare play, and a 19th century novel. You will study Macbeth and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Paper 2 accounts for 60% of the exam. The paper includes the study of a modern play, An Inspector Calls, as well as studying an anthology of poetry on the theme of Love and Relationships. Students must also respond to two questions on unseen poetry.
All literature exams are now closed book exams. However, we manage to cover most of the course during Y10, which gives students a great deal of time to recap and revisit content for the final exams.
Students are examined on their understanding of the set texts, reference to the contextual factors that influence writers, and their ability to closely analyse and evaluate language.
Both of these courses follow the AQA specification.