GCSE English: fact and fiction Mrs J Finch Head of English Faculty Mr B Fletcher Deputy Head of English and Key Stage 4 English Co-ordinator

Summer 2013 results English Language:  82% achieved grades A* to C  25% achieved grades A* and A English Literature:  84% achieved grades A* to C  20% achieved grades A* and A

Past GCSE students’ comments  My teacher has inspired me to enjoy English in different ways.  English has been one of my favourite lessons and I have liked the books we've studied.  My time in English has been a very pleasurable one and I'd like to thank my teacher for creating a very controlled working environment.  I have learnt so much this year and I’m very confident for my exams.

What happens in GCSE English?  Two qualifications – GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature  Exam board – AQA  Year 10 – Language controlled assessments and Literature poetry anthology  Year 11 – Literature controlled assessment and exam set text; revision

Speaking and listening  Students are still required to be assessed giving a talk, contributing to a discussion and performing in a role play.  A separate mark will be recorded for speaking and listening on the exam certificate.

Information issued to students

What’s happening right now? ONLY £7.50

The things students might say…  I only need to work hard in the week before the exam.  You can’t revise for English.  I don’t know when my controlled assessment is.  Other classes already know what the controlled assessment question is.  I haven’t got any homework.  Spelling and punctuation don’t matter.

The things students might say…  I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.  I’ve got a revision guide so everything will be OK.  I don’t need to buy a copy of the text.  My class aren’t working towards the higher grades.  I don’t need to re-read the book because we’ve read it in class.  English is boring.

CGP revision guides

York notes