1. English and English Literature GCSE Requirements
Mrs Heenan – Head of English

2. How many GCSEs are available in English?
There are two qualifications that your son will be studying during English lessons:
English Language GCSE (AQA)
English Literature GCSE (AQA)
To accommodate the changes we now have 4 hours of English teaching time on the timetable and we have also set classes.

3. What are the new requirements for GCSE?
No written controlled assessment or coursework
Un-tiered papers
Minimum assessment time of 3.5 hours for Language and 4 hours for Literature
New grading system 9-1 with 9 being the highest number and 1 the lowest
In Language: High quality unseen texts from 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries – and inclusion of a literature text, and a range of non-fiction texts
In Literature: Closed book assessment for all components

4. GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AQA
Structure:
The assessment consists of two externally examined papers, plus a separate endorsement of Spoken Language which is internally assessed.
It is a linear qualification, so all examinations papers must be taken at the end of the course (JUNE YEAR 11)

5. English Literature AQA
The new government requirements
Shakespeare play (Macbeth)
19th century novel (A Christmas Carol)
Modern fiction or drama (from the British Isles) from 1914 onwards (Lord of the Flies, Blood Brothers)
Selection of poetry since 1789 (conflict poetry)
Comparison of 2 unseen texts
Closed book assessment (May Year 11)

6. TOTAL EXAMINATION TIME 7 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES!
English Language Paper 1 – 1hr 45 = 50%
English Language Paper 2 – 1hr 45 = 50%
English Literature Paper 1 – 1hr 45 = 40%
English Literature Paper 2 – 2hrs 15 = 60%
TOTAL EXAMINATION TIME 7 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES!

7. What are our Concerns? 100% Examination (7 hours of assessment)
The new exam requires a reading age of 14+ to access the texts on the exam paper
The boys need to learn quotes by rote (closed book exams).

8. What do we want from the boys?
High expectation of the boys during class time, concentration, work load, commitment etc…
Homework – detailed tasks that require 1-2 sides per answer, practise questions, handed in on time
Taking responsibility for their own learning, acting on feedback, showing initiative, studying in their own time.

9. How can you help as parents?
Check that your son has completed homework
Check exercise books and look at teacher feedback
Ensure that your son is reading to increase their vocabulary
Help you son to learn quotes from key texts (Macbeth, An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol and Poetry)
Read the texts alongside your son – we need them to know the texts inside out, quiz them, re-read them, help with quotes – this term we are looking at ‘A Christmas Carol’

10. How can you help as parents?
Revision – boys need to be revising now! Creating cue cards, flip keyrings, condensed notes, spider diagrams, picture notes etc…
Most boys have purchased a range of revision guides for our literature text. Make sure they are using them. We also use them during form time.
In year 11 they will have specific tasks to revise for English and maths.

11. Books that we Recommend!
There is an information sheet provided that will outline the exams in a little more detail. On that sheet is a recommended reading list, both modern texts and classic texts that may interest the boys.

12. THE COMMON GOAL - WE WANT YOUR SON TO SUCCEED!
A LOT OF HARD WORK AHEAD!
THE COMMON GOAL - WE WANT YOUR SON TO SUCCEED!