We will be following the AQA specifications for English Language and English Literature. Click on the link below to see further information from the AQA website.

English Language

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Section A: Reading - one literature fiction text

Section B: Writing - descriptive or narrative writing

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

80 marks 50% of GCSE

Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives

Section A: Reading - one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text

Section B: Writing - writing to present a viewpoint

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

80 marks 50% of GCSE

English Literature

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

64 marks 40% of GCSE

Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

Written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes

96 marks 60% of GCSE

Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.

Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.

Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Strong results in English can open doors to several A-level, BTEC and vocational courses. Your school or college will also have a minimum requirement for you to enter their sixth form and it is important that you have achieved a 'standard pass' (Grade 4) or even better a 'strong pass' (Grade 5) and beyond. Some subjects will require a minimum grade in English to be allowed on to the course so it is important that you spend time ensuring your English result is the best it can be so that you can access the course you want for further study.

Further study of English Language or English Literature at A-Level and beyond can lead to many further education or career opportunities as English contains several marketable skills. For example:

• Digital copywriter

• Editorial assistant

• English as a foreign language teacher (TEFL)

• Lexicographer

• Magazine journalist

• Newspaper journalist

• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader

• Secondary school teacher

• Lecturer

• Talent agent

• Web content manager

• Writer

• Lawyer

• Academic librarian

• Advertising copywriter

• Arts administrator

• Education consultant

• Learning mentor

• Marketing executive

• Media researcher

• Primary school teacher

• Private tutor

• Public relations officer

• Social media manager