GCSE ENGLISH
Unit 1:
External examination: 40% of the total GCSE marks
Section A: Reading: 20% of the total GCSE marks
Section B: Writing: 20% of the total GCSE marks
Section A: Reading
Candidates answer compulsory questions based on non-fiction reading sources.
Section B: Writing
Candidates do two compulsory writing tasks - one shorter task and one longer task.
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
Controlled Assessment: 20% of the total GCSE marks
Candidates must be assessed in three equally weighted areas:
- presenting
- discussing and listening
- role playing
Unit 3: Understanding and Producing Creative Texts
Controlled Assessment: 40% of the total GCSE marks
Part a: Understanding Creative Texts (literary reading): 20% of the total GCSE marks
Part b: Producing Creative Texts (writing): 20% of the total GCSE marks
Part a: Understanding Creative Texts (literary reading)
Candidates must write about their study of literary texts, drawing on a play by Shakespeare, a text from the English Literary Heritage and a text from a different culture.
Part b: Producing Creative Texts - candidates complete two creative writing tasks
HOME LEARNING
Pupils can expect approximately two hours of home learning per week.
EDUCATION EXTRA, SUPPORT AND TRIPS
We shall offer trips to the theatre and cinema, whenever appropriate. We also offer workshop after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3.10 pm and Basic Skills Workshop on Wednesdays at 3.10 pm.
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
We would like to encourage parents/carers to take an active role in their child’s education by helping their child to reach their full potential.
Parents/carers can:
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offer support by discussing current events and the way that they are reported in the media. This can involve the shared reading of a quality newspaper or the viewing of a current affairs programme or documentary, as the final examination tests the candidate’s ability to read media texts and to assess their bias.
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become involved in home learning by encouraging their child to devote the appropriate time and care to the tasks set, as often pupils are too easily satisfied with a low standard of work and presentation.
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assist their child to read widely and can discuss the chosen books with them.
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encourage their child to take advantage of the visits offered by the school. They can also take their own children to the theatre, cinema or to museums as all cultural visits extend the experience of young people.
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ensure that their children have access to a good dictionary and thesaurus.
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encourage their children to visit the public library regularly.
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ensure that their children attend lessons with appropriate writing and study materials.
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encourage their child to attend workshops for extra help.
SECURING SUCCESS
Pupils will be encouraged to achieve the best for themselves and will be given clear guidance on what is needed to be done in order to be successful in English. However, where a pupil is not performing to his/her expected standard this will be discussed and appropriate action taken to improve the situation.
If your child regularly fails to meet deadlines or they produce work of an unacceptable standard, they will be considered to be underachieving. Following liaison with Learning Development to check whether there might be a specific learning disability underlying this underachievement, the pupil can expect to be detained to repeat the work properly.
If this solution proves unsuccessful we shall invite the parents to meet with their child’s teacher to set targets to aid the child to achieve his/her potential. Form tutors will also be kept informed.
STAFF
Head of Communications - Christine Lawrence.
If at any stage you are concerned or have any questions relating to English Language, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s English teacher or Mrs Lawrence. We will be pleased to arrange an interview at a mutually convenient time. |
