English
The core of the English GCSE course is to foster the enjoyment of reading, writing, speaking and listening in a range of different ways.
Students will engage with a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, and will experiment in writing in different forms and for different audiences. They will learn to analyse and evaluate texts and gain confidence in expressing their ideas clearly and concisely.
All students will follow AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature, beginning in Year 9, with the final examinations mostly taken in the June of Year 11.
All pupils will study for both English Language and English Literature GCSE’s. Both courses are assessed by terminal examinations: there is no coursework.
GCSE Award
Students will achieve two GCSEs in English. English Language is an essential qualification for all university courses and most college courses. It is also seen as an essential qualification by employers.
Progression
This course is compulsory for all students to undertake at KS4. It builds upon skills that are integral to many other subjects they will study across the curriculum and is an important stepping stone for success in most higher education courses in various subjects.
English Language Course Content and Assessment:
Students will take two written examinations: one involving creative writing and reading and one looking at and responding to the writing of established authors. There is also a spoken English endorsement, which is teacher assessed and is in addition to the final English language grade.
English Literature Course Content and Assessment:
There are two written examinations, one involving study of a Shakespeare play and a 19th century novel. The second paper assesses students’ knowledge of modern texts and poetry: there is also an unseen poetry element, where students will apply the skills of analysis they’ve acquired during the whole course.
