During Years 10 and 11 students study GCSE English Language. The course builds on core knowledge and skills that have been developed at Key Stage 3. As with the course at Key Stage 3, throughout Key Stage 4 students will revisit and further develop their understanding and application of our threshold concepts.
Throughout the course students hone their skills to become expert readers, writers and speakers. They study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, often concurrently with the Literature texts, in order to deepen their understanding of what they are reading. Throughout the course, students are provided with many opportunities to develop their writing skills- both for a narrative and transactional purpose. Our work with Voice 21 also helps us to place the development of oracy at the heart of learning at Key Stage 4- lessons will be structured to ensure there is opportunity to learn through a range of exploratory and presentation talk with the aim of producing skilled and confident orators.
The course is assessed by two examinations. Paper 1 is worth 40% of the overall grade and tests students’ abilities to decode and analyse a 19th Century text and also to create a piece of narrative writing using a title as stimulus. Paper 2, worth 60%, asks candidates to analyse and compare two non-fiction texts and also write for a transactional purpose.
A separate mark is awarded for spoken language- this is in the form of an individual presentation performed to an audience.
The English department has created a range of revision resources to support the development of students' reading and writing skills; these are available from the ‘help yourself’ revision boards located in the department. These have been created by teachers within the department who are seasoned examiners. An official Edexcel revision guide and workbook are available for purchase through ParentPay.
Career opportunities
Having a strong grade in GCSE English is something that all employers and further education institutions look for. The ability to communicate in written and spoken forms is vital for the working world, as is the ability to comprehend and decode information.
Post-16 opportunities
A strong pass at GCSE English Language is vital for further study of the subject at A Level; equally, a strong English Language GCSE supports students who wish to study Law and Journalism at A Level.