Introduction

As a core subject, GCSE English is compulsory for all of our students, developing further the essential skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening required for whatever path they choose to take in the future.  GCSE English Literature provides the opportunity to study a range of literature covering prose, poetry and drama, from pre-twentieth century works including a play by Shakespeare to those by more recent authors.  Because much of the coursework and some of the set texts for examination are common to both the English and the English Literature syllabuses, both subjects are taught in a unified course of  five lessons per week which leads to two separate GCSE awards.

Examining Board

OCR (Scheme A)

Assessment

Four written coursework essays of about 2000 words each will be set throughout Years 10 and 11. Re-drafting is an important part of the process of producing a good coursework folder and two re-drafts of each piece are usually allowed; students are expected to make improvements following the advice of their teacher although work cannot be altered once it has been marked in detail.  Students are encouraged to word-process their coursework.  Throughout the course the teacher will also conduct at least three assessments of Speaking and Listening.

Course content

For English the two terminal examinations combined will account for 60% of the marks while written coursework accounts for a further 20%, and Speaking and Listening another 20%.  The English Literature examination is worth 70% and coursework 30%. 

English Unit 1 - Non-fiction and Media (requiring responses to two unseen passages and one writing task) 1 hour 45 examination (30%)

English Unit 2 - Prose from Different Cultures (one reading and one writing task) 1 hour 45 examination (30%)

English Unit 3/4 - Shakespeare, pre-1914 Poetry and creative writing coursework (20%)

English Unit 5 - Speaking and Listening coursework (20%)

Literature Unit 1 - Post 1914 Drama (Death of a Salesman) 45 minute examination (20%)

Literature Unit 2 - Post 1914 Poetry and Prose 1 hour 30 examination (50%)

Literature Unit 3 - Pre 1914 Drama, Poetry and Prose (Novel) coursework (30%)

Homework

Students will spend about two hours a week on their English homework.  While all written coursework tasks will be started in class, their completion will be set as homework, usually over several weeks, including re-drafting and producing a final, polished piece.  Other homework tasks will involve reading and making notes on set texts, preparation for class discussions and examination practice.

Year 10

Term 1

• Coursework essay to explore, imagine or entertain (English - 10%)
• Study a Shakespeare play and complete a coursework essay (English - 5%, Literature - 10%)
• Drama focused Speaking and Listening coursework task based on Shakespeare (English - about 7%)

Term 2

• Study a selection of pre-1914 poetry and complete a coursework essay (English-5%, Literature-10%)
• Complete a group Speaking and Listening activity based on a discussion of the poetry currently being studied (English-about 7%)
• Study a pre 1914 novel and complete a coursework essay (Literature-10%)

Term 3

• Exam practice for the Non-fiction and Media paper (English-30%) which requires the ability to distinguish fact and opinion, summary and analytical skills and writing to inform, explain and describe.

Year 11

Term 1

• Study Death of a Salesman for assessment by examination (Literature-20%)
• Further practice for the Non-fiction and Media paper
• Study post 1914 poetry for assessment by examination (English-25%)
• Study a range of post 1914 short stories for assessment by examination (English-25%)

Term 2

• Practise writing to argue, persuade and advise for assessment by examination
• Complete an individual Speaking and Listening coursework task showing the ability to discuss, argue and persuade (English-about 7%)
• Further practice for all examination papers

Term 3

• Revision and examination practice