1. GCSE English Language 8700 GCSE English Literature 8702 A two year course focused on the development of skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening. NEW GRADING SYSTEM: Nine-point scale: 1 to 9 – where 9 is the best grade.

2. GCSE English Language (8700) Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing What's assessed? Section A: Reading one literature fiction text Section B: Writing descriptive or narrative writing How is it assessed? written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks (50% of GCSE) Reading (40 marks) (25%) Four questions based on an extract from a 20 th or 21 st century novel Writing (40 marks) (25%) A choice of 2 writing tasks(narrative or descriptive or one of each) with a link to the themes of the reading source. There will be a picture to inspire one of the tasks. (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

3. Paper 2: Writers‘ Viewpoints and Perspectives What’s assessed? Section A: Reading one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text Section B: Writing writing to present a viewpoint How is it assessed? written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks (50% of GCSE) GCSE English Language (8700) Reading (40 marks) (25%) 4 questions based on two linked sources: an extract from a 19 th century non-fiction extract and a non-fiction extract from either the 20 th or 21 st century. Writing (40 marks) (25%) One writing task linked to the topic of the reading sources. This will invite students to express their point of view in a formal piece of writing for a given audience and purpose. (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

4. Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language What's assessed? presenting responding to questions and feedback use of Standard English Assessed teacher set throughout course marked by teacher separate endorsement on GCSE certificate (0% weighting of GCSE English Language but an essential component) Students will have to research, plan and deliver a formal presentation which will include you responding to questions from the audience. GCSE English Language (8700) An outcome of pass, merit or distinction will be reported on the final GCSE certificate but will not count towards the final grade award for English Language.

5. Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel What's assessed? Shakespeare and a 19th-century novel How is it assessed? written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 64 marks (40% of GCSE) Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. GCSE English Literature (8702)

6. Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry What's assessed? Modern texts and Poetry How is it assessed? written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes 96 marks (60% of GCSE) Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem. GCSE English Literature (8702)

7. For GCSE English Language students will have the opportunity to: 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.

8. For GCSE English Literature, students will have the opportunity to develop the following skills: Reading comprehension and reading critically literal and inferential comprehension: understanding a word, phrase or sentence in context; exploring aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings; distinguishing between what is stated explicitly and what is implied; explaining motivation, sequence of events, and the relationship between actions or events critical reading: identifying the theme and distinguishing between themes; supporting a point of view by referring to evidence in the text; recognising the possibility of and evaluating different responses to a text; using understanding of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts to inform evaluation; making an informed personal response that derives from analysis and evaluation of the text evaluation of a writer’s choice of vocabulary, grammatical and structural features: analysing and evaluating how language, structure, form and presentation contribute to quality and impact; using linguistic and literary terminology for such evaluation comparing texts: comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context (where known), style and literary quality; comparing two texts critically with respect to the above Writing producing clear and coherent text: writing effectively about literature for a range of purposes such as: to describe, explain, summarise, argue, analyse and evaluate; discussing and maintaining a point of view; selecting and emphasising key points; using relevant quotation and using detailed textual references accurate Standard English: accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

9. GCSE English Language Assessment Objectives AO1: identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas; select and synthesise evidence from different texts AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views AO3: Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole.) AO7: Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting AO8: Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and feedback on presentations AO9: Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations.

10. GCSE English Literature Assessment Objectives AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to: maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations. AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate. AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written. AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.