English at KS4
Mrs Doyle
Curriculum Leader for English
The Programme of Study
A two year course: Year 10 and 11
English Language GCSE
English Literature GCSE
English Language GCSE
Assessment:
only one tier of entry
100% Terminal examinations (May/June 2018)
Two papers: both test Reading and Writing - equally
weighted
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and
Writing
1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE
Reading
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In the exam students will be
expected to read and answer
questions on previously unseen
extracts from literary fiction and non
fiction texts from the 19th, 20th and
21st centuries
Writing
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In the exams students will be expected to
produce descriptive/ narrative writing and
also discursive / persuasive writing
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20% of English Language GCSE is
awarded for technical accuracy in writing –
spelling, punctuation, sentence structure
and range of vocabulary
English Language GCSE
Non – examination Assessment: Spoken
Language
• Presenting a talk to an audience
• Responding to questions and feedback
• Use of Standard English
• Teacher set and marked but recorded and
moderated by the exam board
• Separate endorsement (0% weighting of
GCSE)
• Valued by colleges and employers
English Literature GCSE
Assessment
Only one tier of entry
100% Terminal examinations
All closed book
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th –century novel
Two questions
1 hour 45 minutes
40% of GCSE
Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Three questions
2 hours 15 minutes
60% of GCSE
Texts studied include:
Shakespeare:
Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, The
Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Julius
Caesar
The 19th Century Novel:
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
(R.L.Stevenson)
A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations (C. Dickens)
Jane Eyre (C. Bronte)
Frankenstein (M Shelley)
Pride and Prejudice (J Austen)
The Sign of Four (A.C. Doyle)
Modern texts and poetry
Texts include:
Drama
An Inspector Calls (J.B. Priestley), Blood Brothers (W.
Russell), The History Boys (A. Bennett), DNA (D.
Kelly), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime (play script S Stephens), A Taste of Honey (S
Delaney)
Prose
Lord of the Flies (W Golding), Telling Tales (AQA
Anthology various writers), Animal Farm (G Orwell),
Anita and Me(M Syal), Never Let Me Go (K Ishiguro)
Pigeon English (S Kelman)
Poetry
15 poems from the AQA anthology ‘Poems Past and
Present’
Key changes
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No controlled assessment/coursework
One tier of entry
100% terminal exam
Closed book
Challenging British texts from 19,20 and 21
century
20% of English Language GCSE is
awarded for technical accuracy in writing –
spelling, punctuation, sentence structure
and range of vocabulary
Focus on Standard English
Preparing the way in KS3 to meet the
requirements of the New National
Curriculum
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A formal English test each term (autumn, spring and
summer) in Years 7,8 and 9 testing reading and writing
skills to ensure our students are very familiar with the
experience of performing well under exam pressure
BFL grades carefully tracked
An additional English lesson each week – focusing on
basic literacy skills, including handwriting.
Reading for Pleasure scheme
Programmes of Study include compulsory core pre – 20th
century texts e.g. Shakespeare in Years 8 and 9; Dickens
in Year 8; Mary Shelley in Year 7
Lots of timed practice questions in class
A whole school focus on the use of standard English in
the classroom.
Failure to complete homework heavily penalised
Extra Curricular Activities at
KS4
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Theatre visits run by the English
Department
Book club
Writing Club
Poetry Club
Philosophy and Critical Thinking Club
School Production
Debating Club
AS ‘Taster’ sessions at Notre Dame
sixth form college
How can you support your
child?
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Support your child with their organisation of
homework deadlines – be aware and check
the planner!
Encourage reading by supporting the
Reading for Pleasure scheme: ensure they
have access to good quality journalism and
fiction texts
Get in touch with the department if you
have any cause for concern