SUBJECT AIM
The English literature GSCE course exposes students to a range of set texts which are engaging, popular and accessible. Students will experience texts written by a diverse range of writers and poets and will encompass poetry, prose and drama. The set texts studies are engaging, popular and suitable for all. The literature course develops a broad range of deep skills including: the ability to engage with and develop the ability to read and respond to a wide range of literary texts from around the world; the appreciation of the ways in which writers use literary effects and develop the skills needed for literary study; the ability to explore the writer’s use of language to create effects and find enjoyment in reading literature.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
Students will complete two pieces of coursework throughout year 10 and sit a final examination at the end of Year 11. The coursework is based on drama. The first piece explores characterization in the modern drama An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. The second piece of coursework is focused on literary heritage and students explore a theme throughout Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. For the final examination at the end of Year 11, students will practice their analysis skills on a range of unseen poems. In addition, they will learn a collection of anthology poems and the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck in order to write focused essays based on unseen questions.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED
Students complete two pieces of coursework in Year 10, each piece is worth 20% of their final grade. In order to best prepare for their coursework student may submit one draft to their teacher and receive feedback before completing and submitting a final draft. The modern drama (An Inspector Calls) coursework should be 1000 -1400 words and the literary heritage (Romeo and Juliet) coursework should also be 1100 – 1400 words. As this is a linear GCSE course, students will also sit an examination paper at the end of Year 11. This paper is worth 60% of their final grade. Within the paper half of the marks are awarded analysis of unseen poetry, anthology poetry and prose (Of Mice and Men)
WHAT THIS SUBJECT CAN LEAD TO
- Media and journalism, publishing, law, public sector, teaching and education.
| THE LEARNING JOURNEY FOR ENGLISH | ||||||
| Unit / Block of work | Key Episodes / Questions | Additional Detail | Colour Code | Length of time. | Possible Symbol? | Learner Attribute(s) |
| Poetry and Prose | How are the experiences of marginalised figures presented in Literature? | Poetic and prose language techniques Poems and prose extracts from Language Anthology Unseen poetry analysis Assessment: Language coursework: Poetry and prose anthology Literature unseen poetry question | Purple | 8 weeks | Poetry symbol | Open-minded Thinker |
| An Inspector Calls | To what extent do writers use their positions of power to influence change in society? | Knowledge of context of 1910s Britain Reading and studying of key moments in the text Analysis of characters Dramatic devices Assessment: Literature coursework: Modern Drama, ‘An Inspector Calls’. | Orange | 8 weeks | Cover of An Inspector Calls | Inquirer Principled |
| Romeo and Juliet | How do society and societal norms alter the way we view a text over time? | Knowledge of context of Elizabethan England Reading and studying of key moments in the text Analysis of theme and characters Dramatic devices Different readers, different times Assessment: Literature coursework: Literary Heritage Drama, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ | Orange | 8 weeks | Cover of Romeo and Juliet | Knowledgeable Reflective |
| Non-fiction Anthology | How do writers use language and structure to communicate their perspectives on experiences? | Reading and analysing texts in the Language Anthology Practice examination skills and question types Assessment: English Language Paper 1 Section A | Green | 6 weeks | Symbol for non-fiction | Communicator Caring |
| Transactional Writing | How do we change our choices as writers to meet different needs? | Different non-fiction text types Conventions of non-fiction writing Practice writing for different puposes and audiences Assessment: English Language Paper 1 Section B | Blue | 4 weeks | Symbol for writing | Balanced Risk-taker |
| THE LEARNING JOURNEY FOR ENGLISH | ||||||
| Unit / Block of work | Key Episodes / Questions | Additional Detail | Color Code | Length of time. | Possible Symbol? | Learner Attribute(s) |
| Of Mice and Men | To what extent are contextual factors essential to our understanding of a text? | Knowledge of context of 1930s USA Reading and understanding of text Analysis of key themes and characters Practice examination questions Assessment: Literature Paper 1 Section C | Orange | 8 weeks | Cover of Of Mice and Men book | Open-minded Principled Caring |
| Language Exam Preparation | How do writers communicate their ideas in complex and sophisticated ways? | Revision of anthology texts Revision of transactional writing and text types Practice examination questions Assessment: English Language Paper 1 | Green and Blue | 6 weeks | Symbol for non-fiction and writing | Communicator Knowledgeable |
| Poetry Anthology | Has the passage of time changed the way poets express their ideas? | Reading and understanding of Literature poetry anthology Poetic devices revision Analysis and annotation of poems Comparison skills Practice examination questions Assessment: Literature Paper 1 Section A and B | Purple | 8 weeks | Symbol for poetry | Balanced Thinker Inquirer |
| Literature Exam Preparation | What value is there to the study of Literature? | Revision of anthology poetry Revision of unseen poetry skills Revision of Of Mice and Men text Practice examination questions Assessment: Literature Paper 1 | Orange and Purple | 6 weeks | Symbol for exam | Reflective Risk-taker |