English Language

 

What do students learn in English Language in Key Stage 4? 

Students of all abilities develop the skills they need to read, understand and analyse a wide range of different texts covering the 19th, 20th and 21st century time periods.  Students learn how to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. There are plenty of opportunities for creative writing and to practise writing non-fiction transactional pieces.  There is a strong emphasis on using Standard English to help prepare students for the life beyond school.  

 

How will students learn in this course?  

On their timetables, students will have two hours of English Language per week in a mixed ability class. Lessons are filled with class discussion of ideas and exploration of writers’ specific choices of words, sentences and their impact on the reader. There is plenty of room for creativity too, with students writing their own pieces of non-fiction and fiction.  We explore a wide range of great non-fiction and fiction texts with plenty of links to issues in the world around us.  Students enjoy thinking and writing about their own opinions on a wide range of topics.  

 

How are students assessed in this course? 

GCSE English Language is assessed with two terminal examinations at the end of Year 11:

Paper 1- 1hour 45 minutes: assesses the reading and writing of non-fiction texts.

Paper 2-  1hour 45 minutes: assesses the reading and writing of fiction texts.   

In addition, there is one non-examined assessment for which students deliver a speech and answer questions using formal Standard English.  This is graded using Pass, Merit or Distinction.

 

What is the learning sequence? 

Focus in Year 10: Focus in Year 11:
Autumn 1 Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts
Autumn 2 Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts Paper 1 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts
Spring 1 Paper 1 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts
Spring 2 Paper 1 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts Revision of Paper 1 and Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts
Summer 1 Paper 2 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts & Spoken Language  Examinations 
Summer 2 Paper 1 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Texts

What qualification is gained from which exam board?

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

 

Link to exam board specification

AQA GCSE English Language

 

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? 

Any and all! GCSE English Language is an essential qualification that demonstrates your skills in reading and writing. These are essential transferable skills needed in all careers.  

Most importantly, we hope to share a love of words and reading with our students so that they leave Paulet with confidence, empowered for the next step of their learning journey. 

 

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.Â