GCSE English Mrs Ali (Year 9/10/11) Exam Board and ...

1 GCSE English Subject Leader Mrs Ali (Year 9/10/11). Exam Board and syllabus code AQA GCSE English Language 8700. AQA GCSE English literature 8702. Content This double award GCSE is taught simultaneously across Years 9, 10 and 11. It is assessed through four examinations, which are taken at the end of Year 11. The preparations for these examinations offer pupils the opportunity to develop reading and writing skills, and to explore new literary texts such as A Christmas Carol. Further to this, pupils will also be given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate speaking and listening skills in various contexts. Although this element of the course does not contribute to the overall GCSE grade, it is recognised by AQA as an additional skilled element to the course and will be acknowledged on the final GCSE certificate of exam results.

2 Assessment There are four examinations which contribute to the overall English Language and English literature GCSE grades. GCSE English Language Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1hr 45min, 50%). o Section A Reading literature fictions text o Section B Writing descriptive/narrative Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (1hr 45min, 50%). o Section A Reading two linked texts o Section B Writing to present a viewpoint GCSE English literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and 19th-century novel (1hr 45min, 40%). o Section A Shakespeare: Macbeth'. o Sections B 19th-century novel: A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry (2hr 15min, 60%).

3 O Section A Modern texts (prose/play). o Section B Poetry from AQA anthology: Power and Conflict'. o Section C Unseen poetry The speaking and listening elements will be assessed throughout the two years of the course. Home Learning We aim to set tasks which will both challenge and support pupils' learning. These can include anything from a writing challenge; to home learning menus which allow pupils to pick a starter', main' and dessert'; to revision based tasks or pre public examination (PPE). preparation. We would also encourage pupils to go beyond the set home learning and encourage them to read around topics which they are studying and conscientiously practise their reading and writing when completing work for others subjects.

4 How Parents and Carers Can Support As always, we encourage reading to support the progress of pupils in English . In particular, we would suggest pre-reading and revision of the set texts listed above. It is advised that pupils purchase their own copies of these texts to allow them to annotate during lessons. Further to this, any supporting work on the grammatical rules of writing would also be of vast benefit to our pupils. All of our pupils were exposed to these grammar rules at the start of the year (often referred to as RATL' Raising Attainment Through Literacy) and have notes in their books and on FROG to support their ongoing work on this skill. Please encourage our youngsters to proof read their work and use dictionaries to support their spelling.

5 Additional Support Available/Useful Links There are several websites which are of use when studying literature : BBC Bitesize Sparknotes Cliffsnotes Shmoop LitCharts Beyond this, the LRC has many texts which would offer the opportunity to read beyond the set texts. English teachers or LRC staff would be happy to make recommendations to suit topics being studied. Support on grammar, punctuation and sentence structure is available on FROG. Year 11s will be provided with a revision booklet for each of their exams. Reading List A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens Macbeth' by Shakespeare High quality, non-fiction media such as newspapers and magazines. Books such as novels and autobiographies any which have been shortlisted by book awards such as The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway, or Waterstone's Children's Book Prize, are often a recommended choice.