English
New GCSE Specifications
As of September 2010 all students will follow the new GCSE pathways.
We expect the content and assessment procedures to be much as they have been in the past. The big change is that whereas in the past we simply had two exams - English Language and English Literature – now there are three different exams:
English: taken as a single GCSE
English Language:
These two exams must be taken together and lead to two GCSEs.
English Literature:
Students may do the English exam by itself which is a combined study of language and literature, or they may opt to do both Language and Literature.
Our expectation is that we will begin all students on the pathway that leads to two full GCSEs. There will be opportunities to review this as the course progresses and those who are unable to complete two full GCSEs will be able to move to the single English GCSE.
The course will cover the following:
- Reading, discussing and considering books, plays, poetry, films, TV, magazines and newspapers;
- Learning to research and make notes;
- Discussing and writing about issues and arguments;
- Taking part in a wide range of speaking and listening activities that help students become better communicators;
- A range of writing tasks;
- A study of language and its origins.
Assessment will be via a combination of coursework and exam as in the past. However, the conditions under which the coursework is done have changed so that all coursework must be done under supervision in school. Students will be still be expected to work independently at home on preparation and some drafting of extended writing and essays.