During Years 10 and 11, in English, you will study English Literature. The course develops skills you have already been learning and practising throughout KS3.
What the course involves
You will study a wide range of Literature including a Shakespeare play, a post 1914 play, a 19th Century novel and poetry. The study of all texts will build on the analytical skills you have developed at KS3 to explore how authors present their ideas in a text. You will also develop your essay writing skills while writing about these texts.
All of you will be supported throughout your GCSE course; staff are available on an informal basis at lunchtimes and after school. In addition to this, as your exams approach the faculty offers easily accessible extra revision sessions: both after school and at lunchtimes that are effective in aiding your revision.
In English Literature you are assessed through examination. There are two papers which both assess your reading and analytical skills. Paper One will assess your ability to analyse an extract from a Shakespeare play, as well as analysing how themes are developed across the play. You will also be required to write an essay about a post 1914 play. This paper is worth 50%. Paper Two will assess your ability to analyse an extract from a 19th Century novel and explore key themes across the novel. As well as this, you will be comparing how ideas are presented in the poems from the poetry anthology and also compare two unseen poems. You will also be required to compare poetry. This paper is worth 50%. You will achieve a GCSE grade 9–1.
Throughout the course you will be studying a range of poems, plays and novels. The texts studied are Frankenstein, Journey’s End, Macbeth and also Conflict poetry. You will be provided with copies of Frankenstein, Macbeth and the anthology of poems, however is would be advisable to purchase a copy of Journey’s End to record your own notes. We also have revision guides for all topics, which are available for purchase on ParentPay.
Career opportunities
For any path you wish to take you will be expected by employers to have essential English skills. These will be demonstrated through your GCSE qualification. English Literature qualifications are particularly useful if you want a career in teaching or law.
Post-16 opportunities
A good grade in English Literature means opportunities for further study of Literature, Law and Media Studies at A Level.