Key Stage 4

All students study this subject at Key Stage 4 because…

• English is fundamental to all aspects of school and work life in the 21st century
• English enhances your ability to communicate ideas and feelings with clarity and confidence. It also instills listening skills which aid tolerance and respect of others
• It fosters a pleasure in reading a wide range of literature
• It develops critical awareness and independent thought
• English extends your sympathy and understanding of people in different situations and with different circumstances
• You are given opportunities to engage in healthy debate and discussion about current and interesting issues
• You will develop a real appreciation of the cultures, traditions and values of the people of the world

What will you study?

We follow the AQA syllabus. Pupils will be required to study a range of texts. In previous years we have studied Hamlet, Jane Eyre, An Inspector Calls, Great Expectations and the Crucible.

Course structure

At GCSE English teachers specialise in certain coursework units to ensure consistency. The department makes full use of the range of ways students learn. You can therefore expect to do role plays one lesson, watch and discuss key scenes from the film the next: dissect the language of famous playwrights like Shakespeare, research the social historical context behind novels by female writers and ultimately master the art of writing critical essays in preparation for further studies from term to term. Students work individually, in pairs and in groups to help them work as an effective team member on the one hand but also a confident, independent learner on the other.

Homework

GCSE students are expected to meet all coursework deadlines including any research and preparation for speaking and listening coursework. Students are encouraged to read as much as possible in their own time and prepare notes on characters, language, themes, plot, setting, context and such like when studying different texts.

Assessment - English GCSE

Exam Paper 1

• Reading response – non fiction media text=15%
• Writing to argue, persuade, advise=15%

Exam Paper 2

• Reading response – poetry from different cultures=15%
• Writing to inform, explain, describe=15%

Coursework

• Speaking and Listening=20%
• Shakespeare=5%
• Prose Study=5%
• Media=5%
• Original Writing=5%

Assessment - Literature GCSE

Literature Exam Paper

• Post 1914 Prose (e.g. Of Mice and Men) =35%
• Pre and Post 1914 Poetry (AQA Anthology) =35%

Literature Coursework

• Pre 1914 Drama=10%
• Pre 1914 Prose=10%
• Post 1914 Drama=10%

Support Information

Students are provided with the texts they need to study as well as background and additional material. They may, if they so choose purchase study guides and notes to help when analyzing texts. We also encourage independent Internet research using common search engines. For further information please see Mr Dorrell, Head of English