Year 10 – Securing Success in English

Quotation from Macbeth Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

‘Hie thee hither, Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

that I may pour Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

‘my spirits Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

‘into thine ear.’ (Lady Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5) Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

‘Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits into thine ear ‘Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits into thine ear.’ (Lady Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5) Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

Students will prepare for 2 separate GCSEs Year 10 English Students will prepare for 2 separate GCSEs English Language and English Literature The exam board is AQA

English Language: Two Exams Paper 1 : 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of the final grade. What's assessed? Section A: Reading One literature fiction extract and four questions to answer about it. (40 marks) Section B: Writing One task. Descriptive or narrative writing. (40 marks)

We will teach the students specific methods for answering each of the questions. As we receive more information from the exam board, we will modify these to ensure the highest level of success It is essential students learn these methods.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The texts can be quite challenging with lots of new vocabulary.. In the writing section, 16 marks, which is a huge amount, are awarded for technical accuracy. This means accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. They came in by train from Victoria every five minutes, stepped off in bewildered multitudes into fresh and glittering air: the new silver paint sparkled on the piers, the cream houses ran away into the west like a pale Victorian water-colour; a race in miniature motors, a band playing, flower gardens in bloom below the front, an aeroplane advertising something for the health in pale vanishing clouds across the sky.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME: Read, read and read some more! Children should be reading a range of different texts at home. If you don't know which books to select for your child start with The Guardian Teenage Fiction Award or the Carnegie Medal winners which you can find online. Higher ability students should also read classic fiction like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens or Charlotte Bronte for example. Practise spelling and grammar – online or from books. 

English Language: Two Exams Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of the final grade. Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives What’s assessed? Section A: Reading One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text Section B: Writing Writing to present a viewpoint

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: One of the sources will be 19th century non- fiction. This can be challenging to read! Having lately received a Letter from my Son Henry, who is at Mr. Smith’s School close by you, complaining of the Treatment he receives, I am induced to write to you, confidentially, to request you will do me the favour to endeavour to see both of them, privately, (at your own House) if possible and ascertain whether you think it would be advisable for me to send for them home. WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME: More reading!  Non-fiction and fiction.

The importance of reading: Challenging texts Need as much help as possible Correlation between reading age and attainment at the end of year 11. Review key texts at home: having your own copy will help.

English Literature: Two Exams Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 minutes 40% of final Literature grade. Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel. What’s assessed? Section A Shakespeare: One question on “Macbeth”. Extract to whole text. Section B The 19th-century novel: One question on Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Extract to whole text.

English Literature: Two Exams Paper 2: 2 hours and 15 minutes. 60% of final Literature grade. Section A Modern texts: Blood Brothers by Willy Russell Section B Poetry: Comparing two poems from the Power and Conflict section of the anthology. Section C Unseen poetry: One question analysing an unseen poem and then comparing this to a second unseen poem.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: These are closed book exams, which means that students are not allowed to take copies of the books into the exam hall. Students are required to use details from the books in their answers. This means they must quote from the texts. These quotations can be paraphrased or exact quotations. WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME: Learn quotations off by heart!

Quotation from Macbeth Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

‘Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits into thine ear ‘Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits into thine ear.’ (Lady Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5) Lady Macbeth wants to persuade and manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan

The format of the GCSEs won’t change: Questions will always be the same, for the life of the specification so students will know what to expect. Students need to develop independence in the work they do in class and in the work they complete at home. We need to build stamina, confidence and resilience.

Homework: Your child will receive homework weekly. It’s essential that this is done as it will provide vital opportunities to practise core skills. Teachers have folders on the student shared area which all students can access at home. Resources and help can often be found on there.

Structure of lessons: Curriculum time has been increased to 8 lessons per fortnight. For the first half term students are studying a unit of work which teaches them a variety of key skills including responding to unseen poetry, English Language Paper 1, reading and writing. There is a homework booklet to complement the work being done in class.

Structure of lessons: After half term one lesson each week will develop English Language skills. In the remainder of lessons, students will begin to study Great Expectations. In Year 10 our aim is for every student to have a good grasp of the plot, characters and themes of the novel. We will use various film versions to support their understanding.

Structure of lessons: For the rest of the year, the pattern of one lesson each week to develop English Language skills will continue. In the remaining lessons, students will study “Macbeth”, “Blood Brothers” and a range of poetry from the “Power and Conflict” anthology supplied by the exam board.

The importance of reading: Challenging texts Need as much help as possible Correlation between reading age and attainment at the end of year 11. Review key texts at home: having your own copy will help.

Aiming high Aspirational setting Levels 8 and 9