English Year 11
All students follow the AQA specification (spec A) for both English Language GCSE and English Literature GCSE - two separate qualifications. In English Language the course develops students’ oral and literacy skills, reading a range of texts, media and poetry. They are also encouraged to write for different purposes and audiences. In English Literature a wide range of pre and post 1914 novels, plays and poetry, including Shakespeare, form the basis of controlled assessments and examinations.
Controlled assessments for English Language
- Spoken language study
- Two creative writing pieces, one based on a text studied for Literature
- Extended reading
Controlled Assessment for English Literature
- Shakespeare and the English literary heritage
English Language GCSE Examination: 1 paper (2 hours)
- Section A: Comprehension of non-fiction reading sources. Questions on use of fact and opinion, line of argument, presentational devices.
- Section B: Writing ; 2 non-fiction tasks, one longer than the other.
English Literature GCSE Examination: 2 papers
Unit 1: Exploring Modern Texts (1 hour 30 mins)
- 2 questions, one on “Of Mice and Men” and one on an anthology of short stories supplied by AQA
Unit 2: Poetry Across Time (1 hour 15 mins)
- One question on a cluster of poems from the AQA Anthology and one on an unseen poem.
Course Books and Equipment
- AQA Anthologies: “Moon on the Tides” and “Sunlight on the Grass”
- Range of novels including “Of Mice and Men”
- Planner, pens, pencils, English book, folder, eraser, ruler
Events and Trips
- Visits to current West End productions
- “Poetry Live” Anthology poets in performance
