1. RBHS English Department GCSE Courses & Pathways

2. New Specifications there will be just two qualifications available: GCSE English Language and English Literature assessment will be through 100% examination of a minimum of 3½ hours for English Language and 4 hours for English Literature students will be graded from 9 to 1 rather than A* to G, with 9 as the highest grade.

3. English Language (EDUQAS) students must respond to 19th, 20th and 21st century texts students must compare at least two unseen texts spoken language (currently called speaking and listening) will still be assessed but will not count towards exam results 20% assessment weighting will be for spelling, sentence structure, punctuation and grammar

4. English Literature (AQA) students must study a 19th century novel, a whole Shakespeare play, and a selection of poetry, including representative Romantic poetry students must compare at least two of the unseen texts the modern prose or drama must be by writers from the British Isles exams will be closed book.

5. Examination Dates Y10 students will sit both English Language & English Literature in the summer of 2017.

6. The EDUQAS English Language Course Component 1 Examination (40% of the total marks) 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: Test of reading skills – unseen 20 th century prose (20% of the total marks) Section B: Creative writing (20% of the total marks) Component 2 Examination (60% of the total marks) 2 hours Section A: Test of reading skills – unseen 19 th and 21 st century prose (30% of the total marks) Section B: Non-fiction/transactional writing (30% of the total marks) Component 3 Spoken Language (Unweighted) One presentation, including responses to questions and feedback.

7. The AQA English Literature Course Paper 1: Shakespeare & the nineteenth century novel (40% of total marks) 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare (21% of the total marks) Section B: ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens (19% of the total marks) Paper 2: Modern texts & poetry (60% of total marks) 2 hours 15 minutes Section A: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley (21% of the total marks) Section B: Comparative essay on poems from the ‘Power & Conflict’ Anthology (19%) Section C: Comparative essay on previously unseen poetry (20%)

8. Year 10 Course Structure Autumn 1 English Literature Paper 2 ‘An Inspector Calls’ Autumn 2 English Language C2 Transactional Writing Spring 1 English Literature Paper 2 Power & Conflict poetry Spring 2 English Language C1 Creative Writing Summer 1 English Literature Paper 1 ‘Macbeth’ Summer 2 English Language C3 Spoken Language Assessment

9. Assessment Every half-term, your son/daughter will complete a formal assessment on the term’s topic. This term, the assessment will be on the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ and set in the style of the external examination.

10. English Literature Set Texts Your son/daughter will find it incredibly useful to purchase his/her own copies of the set texts so he/she can make notes in them during class discussion which will help to support them in preparing for the examinations. Your son/daughter can buy copies of the set texts through school or you can complete an order form before you leave tonight.

11. Set Texts ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, £7.80 (ISBN 9780435232825) ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare, £4.89 (ISBN 9780198324003) ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens, £7.64 (ISBN 9780198329985)

12. What your son/daughter needs to do… Attend school regularly. Keep up with homework and classwork Take responsibility and catch up any work missed. Attend revision sessions when they are offered. Read regularly outside of his/her timetabled lessons.

13. What can you do to help? Encourage your child to read from various texts EVERY day. For the best results, your child should read a variety of texts such as novels, autobiography, and newspapers. As well as improving grammar, punctuation and use of sophisticated vocabulary, this also improves reading speeds. Encourage your son/daughter to have a Growth Mind set.

14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVUqv0v1EE

15. If only… ‘ ’If only I’d done more revision...’’ ‘ ’If only I’d listened more in class…’’ ‘ ’If only I’d acted upon my teacher’s feedback…’’

16. Other Revision Materials Several publishers produce revision guides for the English Literature set texts. Oxford Literature Companions and York Notes are very good. Spelling, punctuation and grammar workbooks. Online revision: BBC Bitesize

17. Keep in touch Your son/daughter’s teacher will be happy to answer any questions and his/her email address are available via the school website. Other points of contact: Mrs Sharples – Head of English ksharples@rbhs.co.uk Miss Grundy– Assistant Head of English sgrundy@rbhs.co.uk sgrundy@rbhs.co.uk Mrs Hagan– Assistant Head of English ehagan@rbhs.co.uk ehagan@rbhs.co.uk