GCSE English

English Literature

Exam Board: Edexcel

The purposes of this qualification are to:

• provide evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content, giving students the confidence that the literacy skills, knowledge and understanding that they will have acquired during the course of their study are comparable to those of the highest performing jurisdictions in the world, enriching their cultural awareness through the study of literary heritage texts
• provide a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment, to help students progress to a full range of courses in further and higher education. This includes Level 3 English courses, as well as Level 3 courses in other disciplines such as Drama and Theatre Studies Qualification

The aims and objectives of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in English Literature are to enable students to:

• read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with good understanding, and make connections across their reading
• read in depth, critically and evaluatively, so that they are able to discuss and explain their understanding and ideas
• develop the habit of reading widely and often
• appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage
• write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading, using Standard English

Assessment

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series. Students will sit two 1 hour 45 minute papers and a 10 minute Speaking and Listening assessment.

Enrichment Opportunities

Macbeth Workshop, Oracy Workshop, Strive for 5 Student Conference Language Grades 4-5, Student Conference Language Grades 6-9, Student Conference, Animal Farm Performance, Mr Bruff Language Student Workshop, University English Projects

Links

• Edexcel Exam Board
• A Level English Literature at The Canterbury Academy
• The Academic Pillar

English Language

Exam Board: AQA

Students will draw upon a range of texts as reading stimulus and engage with creative as well as real and relevant contexts. Students will have opportunities to develop higher-order reading and critical thinking skills that encourage genuine enquiry into different topics and themes.

This specification will ensure that students can read fluently and write effectively. Students will be able to demonstrate a confident control of Standard English and write grammatically correct sentences, deploying figurative language and analysing texts.

For GCSE English Language students should:

• read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism
• read and evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts
• summarise and synthesise information or ideas from texts
• use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
• write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
• use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately
• acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively.

GCSE English Language is designed on the basis that students should read and be assessed on high-quality, challenging texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Each text studied must represent a substantial piece of writing, making significant demands on students in terms of content, structure and the quality of language. The texts, across a range of genres and types, should support students in developing their own writing by providing effective models. The texts must include literature and extended literary non-fiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (both printed and online). Texts that are essentially transient, such as instant news feeds, must not be included. The number and types of texts, and their length, are not prescribed.

Assessment

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series. Students will sit two 1 hour 45 minute papers and a 10 minute Speaking and Listening assessment.

Enrichment Opportunities

Macbeth and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde workshops, collaboration with local universities, online and performance workshops.

Links

• AQA Exam Board
• A Level English Language at The Canterbury Academy
• The Academic Pillar