RBHS English Department GCSE Courses & Pathways

2014 English/English Language Results 78% A*-C 78% 3 Levels Progress Results above target

Year 10 students will: Take the GCSE examinations in English Literature. Follow the WJEC specifications for English Literature and start with the English Language specification in May. Sit the English Literature examinations in May Sit the English Language examinations in June 2016.

Why sit English Literature in Year 10? Gives students a clear objective to work towards in Year 10. Lightens the load in the summer of Year 11 which has become very intensive since modular examinations were abolished. Students need to apply themselves diligently so they achieve the best possible result for English Literature in Year 10. However, those students who wish to do so, will be given the opportunity to resit their English Literature examination in Year 11.

The WJEC English Literature Course Unit 1 Examination (35% of the total marks) Section A: ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck (21% of the total marks) Section B: Unseen poetry (14% of the total marks) Unit 2 Examination (40% of the total marks) Section A: ‘An Inspector Calls’ by JB Priestley or ‘A Taste of Honey’ by Shelagh Delaney (40% of the total marks) Section B: ‘Heroes’ by Robert Cormier (40% of the total marks) Unit 3 Controlled Assessment (25% of the total marks) Literary essay analysing how the themes of power and control are presented in ‘Macbeth’ by Shakespeare and a range of poetry.

Year 10 Course Structure Autumn 1 (to October half- term) Unit 3 controlled assessment ‘Macbeth’ and poetry essay Autumn 2 (to Christmas) ‘An Inspector Calls’/’Taste of Honey’ (Unit 2, Section A) & Unseen Poetry (Unit 1, Section B) Spring 1 (to February half- term) ‘Heroes’ (Unit 2 Section B) & Unseen Poetry (Unit 1, Section B) Spring 2 (to Easter) ‘Of Mice & Men’ (Unit 1, Section A) and Unseen Poetry (Unit 1 Section B) Summer 1 (to June half- term) Set text revision Examination practice Summer 2 Begin the GCSE English Language course

Key Dates The English Literature examination dates and sessions for 2015 are as follows: Monday 18 th May 2015: English Literature Unit 1 examination (morning session). Friday 22 nd May 2015: English Literature Unit 2 examination (morning session). It is essential that students attend each examination. There are no re-sit opportunities until May 2016

Controlled Assessment Worth 25% of English Literature course and 40% of English Language course. Replaced ‘traditional’ coursework. Students know the questions in advance. Students write up their answer on set dates in controlled conditions (akin to examination conditions). Student answers cannot be improved once the time limit is up.

The Implications Attendance really matters – timing is very tight. Students must do everything they can to make sure that they get their controlled assessment pieces right first time. Only one re-sit is allowed. Students cannot re-sit the same question. Students who re-sit will miss lessons in order to sit their controlled assessment again.

English Literature Set Texts Your child will need to read 2 novels and 1 play for the English Literature examinations. It is essential that they re-read these at home in preparation for the exams. 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. Letters will be sent out shortly.

What your son/daughter needs to do… Prepare thoroughly for their controlled assessment and external examination. 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.

What can you do to help? Be aware of key dates. 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.

Other Revision Material Several publishers produce revision guides Make sure anything you purchase covers the WJEC syllabus: ▫Collins ▫Letts ▫CGP Online revision: BBC Bitesize

Looking forward … WJEC English Language 60% Examination Unit 1 – test of reading (30%) Unit 2 – test of writing (30%) 40% Controlled Assessment Extended Literary Reading (15%) Descriptive Writing (7.5%) Narrative Writing (7.5%) Since November 2013, students speaking and listening work does not count towards their final grade in English Language but is endorsed separately.

Looking forward… Alternatively, some students will follow the Cambridge iGCSE English Language syllabus rather than WJEC GCSE English Language syllabus. This decision will be made on a student by student basis using: Students’ GCSE English Literature result (August 2015) The class teacher’s professional judgement. We will communicate to parents as to which English Language qualification their son/daughter will be following in September of 2015.

Keep in touch Your son/daughter’s teacher will be happy to answer any questions and his/her address is available via the school website. Other points of contact: Mrs Sharples – Head of English Mrs Cooke – Assistant Head of English Miss Grundy– Assistant Head of English