English at KS4 Mrs Doyle Curriculum Leader for English

A two year course: Year 10 and 11 English Language GCSE English Literature GCSE The Programme of Study

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 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 19 th, 20 th and 21 st centuries 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 19 th, 20 th and 21 st centuries

Writing In the exams students will be expected to produce descriptive/ narrative writing and also discursive / persuasive writing In the exams students will be expected to produce descriptive/ narrative writing and also discursive / persuasive writing 20% of English Language GCSE is awarded for technical accuracy in writing – spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and range of vocabulary 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 Presenting a talk to an audience Responding to questions and feedback Responding to questions and feedback Use of Standard English Use of Standard English Teacher set and marked but recorded and moderated by the exam board Teacher set and marked but recorded and moderated by the exam board Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE) Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE) Valued by colleges and employers 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 19 th –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 Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar The 19 th 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 Night- Time (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 No controlled assessment/coursework No controlled assessment/coursework One tier of entry One tier of entry 100% terminal exam 100% terminal exam Closed book Closed book Challenging British texts from 19,20 and 21 century 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 20% of English Language GCSE is awarded for technical accuracy in writing – spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and range of vocabulary Focus on Standard English Focus on Standard English

Preparing the way in KS3 to meet the requirements of the New National Curriculum 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 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 BFL grades carefully tracked An additional English lesson each week – focusing on basic literacy skills, including handwriting. An additional English lesson each week – focusing on basic literacy skills, including handwriting. Reading for Pleasure scheme Reading for Pleasure scheme Programmes of Study include compulsory core pre – 20 th century texts e.g. Shakespeare in Years 8 and 9; Dickens in Year 8; Mary Shelley in Year 7 Programmes of Study include compulsory core pre – 20 th 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 Lots of timed practice questions in class A whole school focus on the use of standard English in the classroom. A whole school focus on the use of standard English in the classroom. Failure to complete homework heavily penalised Failure to complete homework heavily penalised

Extra Curricular Activities at KS4 Theatre visits run by the English Department Theatre visits run by the English Department Book club Book club Writing Club Writing Club Poetry Club Poetry Club Philosophy and Critical Thinking Club Philosophy and Critical Thinking Club School Production School Production Debating Club Debating Club AS ‘Taster’ sessions at Notre Dame sixth form college AS ‘Taster’ sessions at Notre Dame sixth form college

How can you support your child? Support your child with their organisation of homework deadlines – be aware and check the planner! 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 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 Get in touch with the department if you have any cause for concern