English
Our English curriculum aims to develop students’ communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness through a diverse and engaging programme. We foster a love of language and literature, enabling students to express themselves clearly, appreciate a range of texts, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them. The curriculum is designed to strengthen essential reading, writing, and speaking skills for academic and future success; promote empathy and cultural understanding through exposure to a variety of texts from different genres, periods, and perspectives; and encourage independent thought by teaching students to analyse, interpret, and discuss literature critically.
Our curriculum
GCSE English Language (AQA)
Component 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Students will be assessed by a 1 hour 45 minute exam which constitutes 50% of their English Language GCSE.
Section A: Reading
- one literature fiction text
Section B: Writing
- descriptive or narrative writing
Questions
Reading (40 marks) (25%)– one single text
- 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
- 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
- 1 extended question (1 x 20 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%)
- 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Component 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives
Students will be assessed by a 1 hour 45 Minute exam which constitutes 50% of their English Language GCSE.
Section A: Reading
- one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
Section B: Writing
- writing to present a viewpoint
Questions
Reading (40 marks) (25%) – two linked texts
- 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
- 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)
- 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%)
- 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Component 3: Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language
What’s assessed
(AO7–AO9)
- presenting
- responding to questions and feedback
- use of Standard English
Assessed
- teacher set throughout course
- marked by teacher
- separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)
GCSE English Literature (AqA)
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Students will be assessed by a 1 hour 45 minute exam which constitutes 40% of their English Literature GCSE.
Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Pupils will be assessed by a 2 hour and 15 minute exam which constitutes 60% of their English Literature GCSE.
Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
