This is a single award GCSE aimed at students who are working at grade C and below
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The specification offers a skills-based approach to the study of English. This enables candidates to make ‘fresh’ and individual responses to each element of assessment. The specification is most suitable for those who wish to explore a range of literary and language topics and skills but who do not wish to take two separate GCSEs in English Language and English Literature. Students develop analytical, interpretative and interpersonal skills over the duration of the course. They are given opportunities to participate in extended creative and analytical writing.
The speaking and listening element of the course encourages students to become confident in speaking in a variety of contexts.
Over the two year course, students study the following units for English Language:
- Unit 1: Understanding and producing non-fiction texts
- Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
- Unit 3: Understanding and producing creative texts
Assessment Procedures
Over the two years all students are required to sit 2 Controlled Assessments for English Language which are 40 % of the total marks. These are done in class, with notes taken during the teaching of the unit; however, the student has to be able to produce the Controlled Assessment individually.
In addition they sit one exam in year 10 which is 40 % of their final mark.
Students also have to participate in speaking and listening assessments that form a further 20% of the final assessment in English Language.
Functional Skills
Functional Skills are practical skills in English that allow individuals to work confidently, effectively and independently in life. They will help develop important skills like communication, team working, presentation and problem solving. Functional Skills are essential for getting the most from education, training and employment, and for the development of all young people and adults’ independence.
- Success in work – in response to calls from employers to tackle the skills gap, Functional Skills in English are intended to produce a workforce that is enterprising, productive and equipped to compete in business.
- Opportunity in education – Functional Skills will open doors to further and higher education for more students. From September 2010, Functional Skills are available as standalone qualifications (Entry 1, 2 and 3*, Level 1 and Level 2) and they are also:
- Embedded in the programmes of study for English at key stages 3 and 4 (including the new GCSEs in English – Teaching and learning of Functional Skills within the GCSE route is expected to take place across the curriculum.
- Fulfilment in life – these practical skills are vital to the personal development of all students and will equip them to deal with everyday tasks and situations in their home and life.
Assessment Procedures
Students sit one exam for each level they have been target to pass. Each assessment is designed to assess a single level. At Levels 1 and 2 (L1/L2), assessment is externally set and marked (except for Functional English in Speaking, Listening and Communication) which means student sit an exam. At Entry 1, 2 and 3 (E1/E2/E3), assessment is externally specified and internally marked by the teacher. Functional skills assessments are not graded – the result will be 'pass' or 'ungraded' (U).
Entry Level
The Entry Level course is delivered to certain students in the year group who may find it difficult accessing the English GCSE. The course is delivered between January and May and involves assessment in the following areas:
- Reading - 40%
- Writing - 40%
- Speaking and Listening - 20%
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The course is committed to creating opportunities for students to access language in real-life situations. Students are exposed to the types of text that they will come into contact with on a daily basis. The course is also used as a motivational tool for students, in order to support the progress they have already made in English.
The speaking and listening element of the course encourages students to become confident in speaking in a variety of important contexts.
Assessment Procedures
The course is assessed via an internal exam sat in May. Support is available for the completion of the exam or students can attempt to complete the exam on their own.
- KS3 – Year 7 & 8
Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 and 9)-
The study of English during Key Stage 3 seeks to build on the skills that students have gained at the end of Key Stage 2. The units are based on the National Literacy Strategy. Students cover a broad and varied range of material designed to help them develop a good understanding of the academic expectations of Key Stage 3 and to further their knowledge and appreciation of English. The study of English in KS3 continues throughout the course to cover a range of material designed to help build on the new skills they will have acquired and to stretch them towards the standards necessary for GCSE. Work is focused upon creating imaginative, accurate writers who speak well, actively listen, and broaden the range of their reading.
Literacy
Students are strongly encouraged to read every day and must read supervised for half an hour every week as part of their homework. A substantial reading list is available with recommendations. In additions, all students are actively encouraged to borrow books from the school library.
Homework
Homework is set twice a week in English. These homework pieces will consist of reading, research, revision or a written piece. Both pieces of homework should take at least 30 minutes each.
Assessments
Students are assessed formally every half term and given a National curriculum Level. Over the year all students are required to produce controlled assessments which are levelled using National Curriculum criteria.
Key Information
Students are being prepared this year in Year 9 for the GCSE courses in Years 10 and 11
Exam Board- AQA
Curriculum Summary:
- 19th Century Literature and their social/historic context
- 20th Century Literature
- Pre 1914 Prose
- Post 1914 Drama
- 20th Century Poetry
- 19th Century Poetry
- Unseen Poetry Study
- Introduction to Shakespeare
- Shakespeare (Macbeth)
- Myths and Legends
- Grammar and Creative Writing
- Writing to Inform, Explain and Describe
- Writing to Discuss, Argue and Persuade
- Introduction to Media
- Rhetoric and Formal Debating
- Group project work
