English
Year 10
English GCSE
We currently follow courses for both English and English Literature. English will be assessed through a mixture of:
1. Speaking and Listening (20%) entirely by coursework, incorporating individual, pair and group activities such as discussions, role play and presentations.
2. Written Coursework (20%) consisting of a folder of the four pieces completed during the course. It will include original writing, such as a story or a piece of autobiography; a media response based on the moving image; a pre-1914 prose study using either a novel or a selection of short stories; and study of a Shakespeare play.
3. A Written Examination (60%) set at the end of the course, including responses to unseen non-fiction and media texts, extended written tasks and questions on poetry prepared in class.
There will be two tiers of entry: Higher (grades A* -D) and Foundation (grades C - G). Decisions about entry will be made after the mock examination in December of Year 11, but we expect all students to be entered for an examination in English at one level or the other.
We shall also enter the majority of our students for a separate examination in English Literature as an additional qualification taught in conjunction with English. Some pieces submitted for English can be used as ‘cross-over’ pieces for the Literature coursework. In addition, students will study a 20 th Century play for coursework. Coursework counts for 30% of the final grade. There is a written paper (70%) examining a novel and a selection of contemporary and pre-1914 poetry.
Not all of our students will have the time or reading interest to cope with the extra demands of this course, so they will concentrate on improving the basic skills required for English only. This will usually apply to those students who have been assessed at National Curriculum level 4 or below at the end of Year 9.
Groups will be established on the basis of the Key Stage 3 tests, teacher assessments and, in a few cases, on special teacher recommendations. During Year 10 all groups will follow a similar course and there will be some scope in the first term to change groups according to effort and progress. During Year 11 advice will be given about suitable courses and pathways in English and associated subjects post-16.
Entry Level English Language
Some targeted students will follow an Entry level English course in Years 10 and 11. This will usually apply to those students who have been assessed at level 3 or below at the end of Year 9. They will gain a level 1, 2 or 3 Entry Level qualification at the end of the course. Depending on progress, they may be entered for GCSE English Language too.