Engaging Year 10 Parents
Tuesday 22nd September 2015
English
Mrs L. Brannon-Barnett
Bury Church of England High School
English and the AQA
• English should be an enabling subject for all pupils
regardless of their motivation or ability.
• 100% linear
• AQA exam board
• The largest or most well-established exam board for English
in the country and as such is well placed to offer us, as
teachers, support, guidance and training for the new
specifications.
• AQA also offer support and guidance to our pupils, your
children: a digital anthology of texts; works with BBC Bitesize
to provide revision materials and texts; and is the target
board for most print based revision guides on the market.
GCSE English Language
Paper One: The Creative Paper
• 1 hour 45 minutes.
• 2 sections – reading and writing.
• Reading – 50% (40 marks)
 One C20th literary fiction text
 four questions.
• Writing – 50% (40 marks)
 1 extended writing question
(choice of 2, often a picture
stimulus)
 Descriptive or narrative writing
 16 marks for technical accuracy.
24 marks for content.
Paper Two: The Transactional Paper
• 1 hour 45 minutes.
• 2 sections – reading and writing.
• Reading – 50% (40 marks)
 Two texts - C21st non-fiction
text and a C19th non-fiction
text.
 four questions.
• Writing – 50% (40 marks)
 1 extended writing question
 Non-fiction writing task
 16 marks for technical accuracy.
24 marks for content.
GCSE English Literature
Paper One: Shakespeare and the C19th
novel
• 1 hour 45 minutes
• 40% (64 marks)
• Section A
• Macbeth
• 2 part question
• Closed book
• Section B
• Great Expectations
• 2 part question
• Closed book
Paper Two: Modern texts and poetry
• 2 hours 15 minutes
• 60% (96 marks)
• Section A
• An Inspector Calls
• 1 question (no extract)
• Closed book
• Section B
• Power and Conflict poetry
anthology
• 1 comparative question
• 1 named poem
• Closed book
• Section C
• Unseen poetry
• 2 questions
How will English be taught?
• Co-operative learning strategies are embedded across the dept and feature
in every scheme of work.
• All pupils receive the same diet however learning objectives, tasks and
outcomes are differentiated according to ability allowing us to stretch the
most able and support other learners.
• Doubled-up approach to topics to allow variety for the pupils given increase
in curriculum time for the subject. It also allows a more flexible and circular
curriculum.
• Not enough time to read the entire book out loud to a class – there will be
an expectation that pupils are coming to the classroom with some prior
knowledge of texts.
• Regular exposure to practice exam tasks to give them confidence navigating
the papers.
• Regular homeworks include reading ahead, gathering research, writing
exam answers, analysing extracts and revision.
How can I support my child
at home?
• Encourage them to read their texts ahead of learning and for
revision purposes
• Encourage them to read a variety of non-fiction texts
• Encourage them to keep on top of homework
• If pupils are absent they need to catch up what they have
missed
• Open door policy for help
• Library is always open – Miss Poff is a subject specialist
• Little and often approach to prepare for linear exams
• Post-its around the house – memorise key quotes
• Watch film versions of the key texts (as well as reading the
books, not in place of reading them!)