All pupils must follow a course leading to certification in both GCSE English Language and English Literature. The qualifications are assessed through exams in Year 11. There is an additional Speaking and Listening component in English language which all students must take. This is certificated separately.

Assessment

English Language 100% examination

English Literature 100% examination

English Language

Exam 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1hr 45) 80 marks, 50% of qualification

Section A: Reading – Four questions on an unseen text (40 marks)

Section B: One extended writing piece (descriptive or narrative) based on an unseen written or image based prompt (40 marks)

Exam 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (1hr 45) 80 marks, 50% of qualification

Section A: Reading – Four questions on two unseen, thematically linked, non-fiction texts, one from 19th C.

Section B: One extended writing piece (transactional) based on a scenario provided to be written in a specified form for a particular audience and purpose. (40 marks)

English Literature

Exam 1: Shakespeare and the 19^th Century Novel (1hr 45) 64 marks, 40% of qualification

Section A: Shakespeare - Macbeth (34 marks) - (including four marks for accuracy). One question (no choice) on an extract and the play as a whole.

Section B: The 19th Century novel - Jekyll and Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (30 marks). One question (no choice) on an extract and the novella as a whole.

Exam 2: Modern Texts & Poetry (2hr 15) 96 marks, 60% of qualification

Section A: Modern Texts An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley - One question from a choice of two. (34 marks)

Section B: Poetry since 1789 Power and Conflict - One comparison question. (30 marks)

Section C: Unseen poetry (two unseen poems) (32 marks). Two questions: 1st: response to unseen poem. 2nd: comparison of both unseen poems.

Career Progression

Media, journalism, teaching, politics, civil service, law, retail, writing, acting, advertising, business,
management, finance, lecturing.

Key Stage 5

English Literature A Level

Course Content

Examinations

Paper 1 Drama 2 hrs 15 30% of qualification One Shakespeare text - Othello

One other drama text - A Streetcar Named Desire

Paper 2 Prose 1 hrs 15 20% of qualification

Comparison between Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Paper 3 Poetry 2 hrs 15 30% of qualification

‘Poems of the Decade’ post 2000’s poetry selection

Specified poetry: ‘The Romantics’

All exams are open book - clean copies will be provided.

Coursework (NEA) 20% of qualification

Comparing ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F.Scott Fitzgerald with another text of students choice. Chosen text must be a respected text from the literary canon. Wider reading is necessary. The NEA allows students to personalise the course and explore an area/text of interest to them.

Learning Methods and Assessment

Teaching includes group interpretation, dramatic interpretation and role-play in the classroom, both teacher-led and independent close analysis and independent research of author, critics and social and historical context.

Expectations of Students

Half an hour per lesson to digest the learning and organise notes (five hours in total per fortnight) plus two essays a fortnight (usually two-three hours preparation and writing time). In addition, there will be approximately two hours pre-reading and one hour research. In practical terms, this means using three of your free hours available for English study in school time and around four hours per week homework time.

Careers Prospects

English is a strong basis for a wide range of career options. These include Journalism, working in the Media, Law, Teaching, Personnel, Psychology, Publishing, Public Relations, Advertising, Business Administration
and the Performing Arts.

Awarding Body : Edexcel

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 or above in English Literature. APS 5+