English and Maths results 2017 With a new, more challenging specification and the removal of coursework, our students achieved the best results in the County for English and Maths!

GCSE English Results 2017 Grades 4-9 Grades 5-9 88% 85% 71% 64% English Language English Literature Grades 4-9 88% 85% Grades 5-9 71% 64%

Studying English at GCSE New specification – last year’s year 11 were the first students to sit this exam Overview of courses What students can expect How parents can help Mr Adam Simpson (Head of English) Mrs Hannah McNally (KS4 Co-ordinator)

New specification Exams are graded 9-1, not A*-G. No controlled assessment. Exams have no tiers. All pupils now required to study a Modern text, Shakespeare & a 19th Century Novel. A greater emphasis on 'technical accuracy.'

GCSE Course All students will take two GCSEs. GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. Both GCSEs include: Final exams in May/June 2019. Note: No controlled assessments or coursework

English Language 100% final examination.

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language What's assessed Section A: Reading One literature fiction text Section B: Writing Descriptive or narrative writing What’s assessed One non-fiction text and One literary non-fiction text Writing to present a Viewpoint Presenting Responding to questions and feedback Use of Standard English Assessed Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks 50% of GCSE Teacher set throughout course Marked by teacher Separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE) Questions Reading (40 marks) (25%) – one single text 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks) 1 extended question (1 x 20 marks) Writing (40 marks) (25%) 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) – two linked texts (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks) (1 x 16 marks)

English Literature 100% final examination

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry 19th-century novel Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry What's assessed Shakespeare The 19th-century novel Modern texts Poetry Unseen poetry How it's assessed Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 64 marks 40% of GCSE (Spelling, punctuation and vocabulary = 2.5%) Written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes 96 marks 60% of GCSE Questions 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. 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.

What texts will be studied? Shakespeare 19th Century Modern Texts Poetry Romeo and Juliet Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers Power and conflict cluster

Course Delivery Each half term will cover a different aspect of the English Language or English Literature exam. At specified tracking points throughout the year examination based assessments will take place which will allow us to monitor the progress of all pupils. Dates of these assessments will be communicated to parents/guardians via SIMS.

Revision and intervention classes Revision classes Will be offered in the final term of year 11 run up to the final exam in May/June 2019. Intervention classes Ongoing throughout the course as and when needs arise based on assessment data.

What students can expect: To be given clear guidance and deadlines for preparation time for each exam practice task. To receive detailed feedback and to respond to this during lesson time. To be working for longer on one topic than at Key Stage 3. To be required to research and read ahead. To be required to work independently.

Revision Materials English Reading and Writing Workbooks are available from the Student Office. Students may also wish to purchase the study guides for the novels/plays studied on the Literature course; these are available at all good book stores. Details of specific novels studied by the class will be provided by English teachers. Google classroom also holds a wealth of free revision material. This is also an area where teachers will communicate homeworks and where trips are announced.

Google Classroom Code: xtbzso How parents can help Check emails for dates of exam practice assessments. Ask them to tell you about texts they are studying and how they respond to them. Encourage them to read a range of fiction and non-fiction, particularly newspapers. Encourage them to use revision study guides. Don’t believe, “I’ve no work for English”. There is always something to do! Check on Google classroom! Google Classroom Code: xtbzso

New 1-9 Grading System