English Literature

 

WHAT DO STUDENTS LEARN IN ENGLISH LITERATURE IN KEY STAGE 4?

Students will be inspired, challenged and motivated, no matter what their level of ability, in our creative and engaging lessons. Students will all study a Shakespearean play,  a nineteenth century novel, a modern play and an anthology of poetry.   They will learn to become critical readers, interrogating texts by exploring characters’ motivations, examining themes writers present and delving into historical and social contexts. In English Literature students will discover more about culture, history, society and politics and about their own place in the world – which is why all students at Paulet High School study this course. 

 

HOW WILL STUDENTS LEARN IN THIS COURSE? 

There will be plenty of reading in class, lots of debates and sharing of ideas. Students will be encouraged to conduct their own independent research around the texts and to become more curious readers.  Expressing ideas in essay format will be an important part of the course and this will be modelled and demonstrated by teachers.  We regularly organise visits to the theatre to watch productions of our texts and see characters we have studied come to life.  It’s a course we know you will enjoy!   

 

HOW ARE STUDENTS ASSESSED IN THIS COURSE? 

This course is externally assessed in two terminal examinations at the end of Year 11.  Preparations for these external assessments will be on going throughout the course with essay based tasks set in lessons. 

Paper 1- 1 hour 45: assesses the Shakespeare play and the nineteenth century novel

Paper 2- 2 hours 15 minutes: assesses the modern play, poetry anthology and unseen poetry 

 

WHAT IS THE LEARNING SEQUENCE? 

Focus in Year 10: Focus in Year 11:
Autumn 1 Modern play: Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ Nineteenth Century Novel: Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’  (and Yr10 revision)
Autumn 2 Modern play: Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ Nineteenth Century Novel: Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’  (and Yr10 revision)
Spring 1 Unseen Poetry and Love and Relationships Anthology poetry (& BB revision) Revision of all texts
Spring 2 Unseen Poetry and Love and Relationships Anthology poetry (& BB revision) Revision of all texts
Summer 1 Shakespearean play: ‘Macbeth’ 

(& poetry/BB revision)

Examinations
Summer 2 Shakespearean play: ‘Macbeth’ 

(& poetry/BB revision)

 

WHAT QUALIFICATION IS GAINED FROM WHICH EXAM BOARD?  

Our GCSE in English Literature is gained from the AQA exam board.

 

LINK TO EXAM BOARD SPECIFICATION

AQA GCSE English Literature

 

HOW IS IT GRADED?

All students sit the same examinations at the end of Year 11.  They will achieve a grade 1-9.  (9 being the highest grade.)   

 

WHAT FURTHER EDUCATION AND/OR CAREERS CAN THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO? 

A good grade at GCSE English Literature will help secure a place in any further education path.  It can also help to open opportunities to study in fields like law, journalism and business.  Above all though, English Literature is a subject that teaches students to become better thinkers, to develop their own opinions and to build empathy with others. These are all qualities that will help them have a greater understanding of the human condition. 

 

Registration for : English Literature

    Apply Now!

    Share This Course