ENGLISH

Specification:  Edexcel English Language (1ENO)

                                Edexcel English Literature (ET01)

 Introduction

The GCSE English course is designed to stimulate interest and enthusiasm for a study of both language and literature. It aims to encourage the core skills of reading and reflective analysis that characterise a mature and rounded view of literature and its social context.  It is a linear course – examined at the end of a three year period of study (100% examination with no coursework component)

 1.         English Language  

Paper 1 – 40%

Fiction and Imaginative writing

• Reading – Unseen 19th Century Fiction – short answer and extended response questions (15%)

• Writing – Creative writing task linked to theme in reading section (25%) 

Paper 2 – 60%

Non Fiction and Transactional Writing

• Reading – Unseen 20th / 21st Century non Fiction texts – short answer and extended answer, including comparisons (35%) 

• Writing – Transactional writing linked to theme in reading section (25%) 

NB - New grading system of 9 – 1, with 9 being the top grade available. 

A boy failing to gain a ‘pass’ mark, at Grade 4 will have to repeat the examination until either they do pass, or they leave full-time education at age 18. 

2.         English Literature   

Paper 1 – 50%

Shakespeare and Post 1914 Literature

• Shakespeare – Two part question - extract analysis and whole text response (25%)

• Post 1914 British drama or novel – Essay question (25%) 

Paper 2 – 50%

19th Century Novel and poetry since 1789

• 19th Century novel – Two part question - extract analysis and whole text response (25%)

• Poetry – One comparison question based on set poems and one question comparing 2 unseen poems (25%) 

Learning Activities 

The course involves reading, writing and discussion but there is also a good deal of emphasis on group / paired work, presentations and internet use.  English lends itself to a wide variety of approaches in the classroom, and to a good deal of student led learning, which is both invigorating and important in developing independent learners. 

Why study English? 

English is central in its contribution to a balanced education.

•    English is about people – The course provides an insight into the lives and cultures of many different people.  It allows us a window into their lives and world, through their literary traditions and heritage.  It also helps us understand those from many different social and ethnic backgrounds.  It can help us understand and empathise with their world view and concerns.

•    English is about important themes and big questions – Who am I?  What causes prejudice?  What is love?  Reflecting on these and many other issues, through their appearance in literature, allows us to consider some of life’s biggest questions.  We aim to approach them in a clear and logical way and to learn both tolerance and reason in the classroom.

•    English is about investigating and communicating – The art of communication is fully explored within the English Language and Literature course. We learn to make effective and engaging presentations, as well as write coherent and maturely reflective essays.  We also seek to use the skills necessary to write creatively and with impact in all our original writing.

MATHEMATICS

Specification : Edexcel GCSE Mathematics  (1MA1)

The new GCSE is designed to be even more challenging than the old one, with greater emphasis on reasoning and problem solving.  Some topics have moved from the previous ‘A’ Level syllabus to the Higher Tier papers and some from the Higher Tier to Foundation papers.

The examination will be graded from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade awarded 

(instead of A* to F).

There will be 3 final examination papers of 1 hour and 30 minutes each

They will be worth 80 marks each; the total mark will be out of 240.

Paper 1: Non-calculator 

Papers 2 and 3: Calculator permitted

It is expected most boys will take the Higher Tier (Grades 9 to 4) examinations, although the Foundation Tier is available (Grades 5 to 1) for weaker candidates.

A boy failing to gain a ‘pass’ mark, Grade 4, will have to repeat the examination until either they do pass, or they leave full-time education at age 18.

There are now three strands to the course:

AO1 – Applying standard techniques; questions that are straightforward and can be practised and learned by repetition.

AO2 – Reasoning, interpreting and communicating mathematically.

AO3 – Solving problems, with a greater focus on non-routine problems in context.

Each of the three examination papers will include a variety of the three types of questions.

Importantly – the Formula Sheet at the front of the examination papers will be considerably curtailed; boys will have to learn any formula they need for any particular question as well as know how to apply it.

Kinematics formulae will be given and boys will be expected to be able to apply them.

The course will comprise the following areas of study:

Number and Algebra

·          Development and flexible use of a range of methods of computation; applying these to a variety of problems

·          Consideration of how algebra can be used to model real-life situations and solve problems

·          Exploration of a variety of situations that lead to the expression of relationships

·          Consideration of how relationships between number operations underpin the techniques for manipulating algebraic expressions

·          Correct use of calculators and computer software, e.g. spreadsheets

Shape, Space and Measures

·         Exploring shape and space through drawing and practical work

·         Calculations with representations of 2D and 3D images

·         Using computers to generate and transform graphic images and to solve problems

Data Handling

·         Formulating questions that can be considered using statistical methods

·         Undertaking purposeful enquiries based on data analysis

·         Using computers as a source of large samples, a tool for exploring graphical representations and as a means to simulate events

·         Engaging in practical and experimental work in order to appreciate some of the principles which govern random events

·         Looking critically at some of the ways in which representations of data can be misleading and conclusions uncertain

Learning Activities:

Students will have many opportunities to use ICT.  These include use of spreadsheets to make calculations, create formulae, charts and graphs and using the Internet to gather statistics and data.

Investigative work will involve reasoning about lines of enquiry, making particular choices in preference to others and using mathematical language and symbols in convincing and reasoned arguments. 

Opportunities will be given to apply mathematics in familiar and unfamiliar contexts, in addition to structured exercises.

This course builds on Key Stage 3.  Boys with a good level of mathematical competence should have little difficulty with gaining a good grade at GCSE in Mathematics.