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KS4: GCSE English Language and literature (EBacc)

Intent

We aim to nurture students’ personal development and linguistic competence through writing in a variety of forms for a range of purposes and audiences, and to increase their awareness of the writing process itself – from planning to proofreading and correction. A strong emphasis is placed upon linguistic and structural text conventions and upon the accuracy and presentation of written work. We also aim to promote the development of students’ evaluation and analysis skills to encourage critical thinking in order to study literature in depth and investigate authorial intent. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore different genres of texts from different time periods. Students will develop an understanding of context and be able to discuss the links between their studied texts and the context in which they were written.

Schedule of Learning

  • Module 1: Shakespearean Text – Macbeth
  • Module 2: 19th Century text – The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or A Christmas Carol
  • Module 3: Post 1914 British Text – An Inspector Calls
  • Module 4: Anthology Poetry
  • Module 5: Unseen Poetry and Full Literature Revision
  • Module 6: Introduction to English Language and Completion of the Spoken Language Endorsement

Schedule of Learning

  • Module 1: English Language GCSE preparation
  • Module 2: English Language GCSE preparation (English Language Mock)
  • Module 3: English Literature Revision – 19th Century text and Shakespearean text
  • Module 4: English Literature Revision – Post-1914 text
  • Module 5: English Language and English Literature Revision
  • Module 6: GCSE examinations

Implementation

Reading comprehension and reading critically

  • Literal and inferential comprehension: understanding a word, phrase or sentence in context; exploring aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings; distinguishing between what is stated explicitly and what is implied; explaining motivation, sequence of events, and the relationship between actions or events.
  • Critical reading: identifying the theme and distinguishing between themes; supporting a point of view by referring to evidence in the text; recognising the possibility of and evaluating different responses to a text; using understanding of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts to inform evaluation; making an informed personal response that derives from analysis and evaluation of the text
  • Evaluation of a writer’s choice of vocabulary, grammatical and structural features: analysing and evaluating how language (including figurative language), structure, form and presentation contribute to quality and impact; using linguistic and literary terminology for such evaluation (such as, but not restricted to, phrase, metaphor, meter, irony and persona, synecdoche, pathetic fallacy)
  • Comparing texts: comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to theme, characterisation, context (where known),
  • Style and literary quality; comparing two poems critically with respect to the above.

Writing

  • Producing clear and coherent text: writing effectively about literature for a range of purposes such as: to describe, explain, summarise, argue, analyse and evaluate; discussing and maintaining a point of view; selecting and emphasising key points; using relevant quotation  and using detailed textual references
  • Accurate Standard English: accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

In addition, learners are required to study the following content:

  • at least one play by Shakespeare
  • at least one 19th century novel
  • a selection of poetry since 1789, including representative romantic poetry
  • fiction or drama from the British Isles from 1914 onwards.

Impact

Students will be supported with a number of different types of assessment materials to ensure they reach their full potential in their English Literature GCSE examination. Students will develop their critical thinking, analysis and evaluation skills through different literature texts.

Assessment

Students will complete a full Literature mock at the end of year 10.

  • GCSE Literature: 100% Examination (Edexcel Exam Board)

For more information, please read our assessment recording and reporting cycle.