English
In English, we strive to engage and inspire all learners to develop a lifelong love of reading and writing. We encourage them to be inquisitive and creative whilst simultaneously nurturing the skills required to become literate and articulate in both written and verbal forms. Through all that we do, we aim to guide pupils towards empathetic and emotionally intelligent communication styles. In addition – of course – we have lots of fun!
Learning Journey
For more information click on each of the units below.
Growth PAthways KS3
GCSE English Language (Edexcel)
Current Year 11
Component 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing (1ENO/01)
Students will be assessed by a 1 hour 45 minute exam which constitutes 40% of their English Language GCSE. In preparation for this, they will:
Study extracts from a range of prose fiction
Develop skills to analyse and evaluate 19th-century fiction extracts
Develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader
Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately
Component 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing (1EN0/02)
Students will be assessed by a 2 hour exam which constitutes 60% of their English Language GCSE. In preparation for this, they will:
Study a range of 20th- and 21st-century non-fiction texts (including literary non-fiction
Develop skills to analyse, evaluate and compare non-fiction extracts
Develop transactional writing skills for a variety of forms, purposes and audiences
Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately
Component 3: Spoken Language Endorsement (1ENO/03)
The component is internally assessed under controlled conditions, and externally monitored by Pearson.
Candidates must undertake a prepared spoken presentation on a specific topic in a formal setting, listen and respond to questions and feedback, and use spoken English effectively
Students are awarded a grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction)
GCSE English Literature (AQA)
Current Year 11
Component 1: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature (1ET0/01)
Pupils will be assessed by a 1 hour and 45 minute exam which constitutes 50% of their English Literature GCSE. In preparation for this, they will:
Study a Shakespeare play and a post-1914 British play or novel
Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects
Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response
Component 2: 19th-century Novel and Poetry since 1789 (1ET0/02)
Pupils will be assessed by a 2 hour and 15 minute exam which constitutes 50% of their English Literature GCSE. In preparation for this, they will:
Study a 19th-century novel and a poetry collection from the Pearson Poetry Anthology
Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects
Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response
Develop comparison skills
GCSE English Language (AQA)
Current Year 10
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)
Current Year 10
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.
