English
Year 8 Open Evening 2008
'Hard Times': Y8 Open Evening 2008
This subject area strongly believes in balancing the need for common guidelines with the freedom to produce individual interpretations; classroom teachers are expected to exercise their professional judgement. Schemes of Work with corresponding resources exist for KS3, GCSE and A Level. We are following AQA English and English Literature syllabuses, with most students entered for English GCSE and approximately 75% for GCSE English Literature. A small number of students follow the WJEC Certificate of Achievement course, in parallel with GCSE.
At AS/A2 students are currently entered for OCR English Literature. Media Studies is studied at AS/A2. In recent years we have enjoyed considerable success with examination results, and the challenge is to maintain these high standards while managing change in the form of eg the new requirements at 16+.
The impact on our working practices of the National Literacy Strategy and KS3 Strategy has been considerable and is evident throughout all Year Groups.
A very varied and exciting extra curricular programme operates across both English and Media in all Key Stages. .
English is at the very heart of the curriculum and we in this subject area are very proud of the successful way we have met the unending series of challenges to be faced, while retaining our integrity, our humour and our sense of proportion. We have been able to do this because of the guiding principles and beliefs we share about English and about young people. One clear sign of this is the high entry policy for Literature; we believe it is the right of every student to have access to the beauty of Literature, for the sake of it, just as we strive to give them access to the rest of the curriculum and to the world at large, through their literacy and communication skills. We are constantly reviewing, renewing and refreshing what we do in the classroom to keep interest alive and we aim to stimulate students through constant extra-curricular activity, both in and out of College.
In this quiet rural community it seems a particular challenge and responsibility to stimulate, excite and inform culturally; we never miss a chance; local and London Theatre, the RSC, visiting writers and workshops are absolutely integral to our approach.
Putting this into practice, while maintaining both freshness and vigour keeps complacency at bay!
KEY STAGE 3
Our focus will be on GCSE terminology and skills. At the same time we will be encouraging creativity through Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing activities.
- Poetry
- Prose
- Drama
- Foundation work for GCSE
Recommended Resources:
- English dictionary
- Thesaurus
- Personal reading book
- Pen, pencil, ruler, crayons
How parents can help:
- Encourage regular reading
- Give him/her access to a variety of reading material e.g. magazines, newspapers, books
- Read through his/her written work with him/her checking for accuracy and detail
KEY STAGE 4
English and English Literature: GCSE
All students follow this course.
The 2008-2009 course in English and English Literature will lead to two GCSE qualifications.
The GCSE English course allows for all students to have access to a broad range of texts, including the opportunity to discuss the language used in film, television and print based media, and also to be able to encounter more traditional works, such as Shakespeare, Dickens and Hardy. The course also encourages reading and responding to poetry from different cultures and traditions, providing a discussion of variety of important global issues and events.
Students' creativity is encouraged through the original writing coursework and through the media component. Furthermore, the course assesses speaking and listening, the teaching and practice of which helps to refine verbal communication skills and to improve the all important ability to reason and to promote a viewpoint with clarity and confidence. Work to prepare for the written examination includes introducing ways in which to read non-literary material, such as advertisements, news reports and magazine articles, allowing the students to gain confidence in forming their own opinions of the way in which the written word is used in their everyday lives. The English GCSE is both practical and enriching. We aim to promote an enjoyment of language alongside essential life skills.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance structure will assess the areas:
- Speaking and Listening
- Reading and Writing
English Language Written Examination:
- Study of non fiction texts including Media texts
- Writing to inform, explain and describe
- Writing to argue, persuade and advise
- Study of poetry from Other Cultures and Traditions
English Language Coursework:
- Original Writing
- Media Response
- Shakespeare
- Prose Study
- Speaking and Listening Assessment
English Literature Written Examination:
- Poets from English Literary Heritage, both pre and post 1914
- Study of post 1914 Prose (novel or short stories)
English Literature Coursework:
- Shakespeare
- Prose study
- Post 1914 Drama
Assessment for English will be by two end of course examination papers (each worth 30% of the marks) and coursework (40%). The coursework folder presented for assessment will include:
- a teacher summary of oral work worth 20% of the English mark, including a formal English Oral examination
- three pieces of written coursework (including one which may be submitted for either English or English Literature)
For English Literature there is an end of course examination paper which examines work on set texts (60%). A coursework folder (40%) containing two or three pieces of coursework will also be assessed. In certain instances the same piece of coursework may be submitted for English and English Literature, making five pieces of coursework for the combined course. One piece may be assessed through discussion and a presentation, supported by notes.
SIXTH FORM
English Literature Advanced Subsidiary AS. Advanced A2
Entry Qualifications: GCSE Grade B in English Language and Literature is the preferable minimum; a Grade C may be acceptable in some circumstances but not usually in Literature.
Course Details:
AS level
The AS course offers the opportunity to study Drama (including Shakespeare), Poetry and Prose, from a variety of periods and in a range of genres.
A2 level
The A2 course offers further opportunities for more independent coursework. Skills are accumulated throughout the course.
OCR English Literature AS/A Level at a Glance:
| For AS | |
| Teaching Units | Assessment method and weighting |
| F661: Poetry and Prose 1800-1945 Learners study works of petry and prose ranging from Robert Frost to Edith Wharton. This unit develops critical literary skills, promotes a greater understanding of the contexts in which texts are produced and explores the variety of possible interpretations. | Mandatory unit 2 hour exam AS – 60% A Level – 30% |
| F662: Literature Post-1900 Through this study of modern literature students learn to compare texts and gain confidence in their use of literary critical concepts and terminology. Learners have the opportunity to select works of individual interest. | Mandatory unit Coursework AS – 40% A Level – 20% |
| For A2 | |
| Teaching units | Assessment method and weighting |
| F663: Drama and Poetry Pre-1800 The study of Shakespeare is a key focus, as is the study of literary heritage text. This includes critical analysis of structure, form and meaning, and consideration of others’ interpretations. Learners are encouraged to compare and contrast texts across the works of authors writing from 1300-1800. | Mandatory unit 2 hour exam A Level – 30% |
| F664: Texts in Time Learners develop research skills and synthesise their knowledge and understanding in an extended individual study of literary texts across genres. This unit gives learners an appreciation of the cultural and contextual influences upon readers and writers, and the ways in which texts relate to literary traditions, movements and genres. | Mandatory unit Coursework A Level – 20% |
Next Steps: Access to Arts and Humanities Higher Education courses, secretarial training or employment.
Careers in Journalism, Social Work, Law, Teaching, Media, Advertising, Broadcasting, Industry, Commerce.