English GCSE Options Information

What is the main aim of the course?

The English Language course has the aim for all students to read fluently and write effectively and be able to demonstrate a confident control of Standard English, to write grammatically correct sentences, deploy figurative language and analyse texts. The Literature course encourages students to read widely for pleasure.

What will you learn?

Whilst studying English Language GCSE you will learn to read and respond to challenging texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

The examined texts, across a range of genres and types, will support you in developing your own writing through the provision of effective models. The texts will include literature and extended literary non-fiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism, from both printed and online sources.

When writing, you will learn to write for impact and to produce clear and coherent written texts.

You will build a familiarity with a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, and engage with creative as well as real writing contexts. The course will provide opportunities to develop sophisticated reading and critical thinking skills that encourage genuine enquiry into different topics and themes.

By studying some of the great texts of English Literature, our students will learn not only how to analyse a text, but also how to gain experience of a wide range of analytic and critical thinking skills. The study of Literature enables students to apply a fresh and creative quality to their studies and, it could be said, to life as a whole.

How is the course assessed?

Language Paper 1 - Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing  worth 50%

Language Paper 2 - Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives worth  50%

Spoken language non-examination assessment

Literature Paper 1 - Macbeth and Jekyll & Hyde worth 40%

Literature Paper 2 - Animal Farm, Poetry and Unseen Poetry worth 60%

How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?

The study of English Language and Literature GCSE allows students to progress onto A levels at W6 Sixth Form at SRWA and ultimately a degree. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential in most careers. The study of English Literature is useful in a range of new media and traditional careers such as Digital copy-writing, Journalism, Teaching, PR, and Web Content Manager to name but a few.

Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?

Ms Charlotte Sale, Curriculum Director of English, csale@srwa.woodard.co.uk.