SUBJECT: ENGLISH YEAR1O/11

Course Content/Skills

The English course is divided into five terms and all pupils are prepared for GCSE examinations in English and English Literature. The syllabuses used are those of SEG (Southern Examining Group).

Examination grades are awarded on a consideration of examination and coursework:

English 60% examination - 40% coursework

English Literature 70% examination - 30% coursework

Examination - Reading and Writing

a) English

Response to media/non-fiction texts

Writing for persuasion/argument

Writing for analysis

Response to booklet of pre-released material

Response to texts from other cultures and traditions

b) English Literature

Detailed study of three set texts: Drama: Prose: Poetry, as follows:

Author's literary background: main themes and characters: plot construction and development: use of textual evidence: authors style:

(Prescribed texts vary from year to year)

Coursework

a) English

Written (20%)

The final folder for submission must contain five pieces of work, in each of the following categories:

(i) Personal Writing - fiction

(ii) Personal Writing - non fiction

(iii) Written response to a Shakespeare play

(iv) Written response to an author whose works were published pre-1900 (poetry or prose)

(v) Written response to an author whose works were published post-1900 (poetry or prose)

(iv & v must show a response to poetry and a response to prose)

Oral - 20%

Oral activities can be integrated with reading and writing tasks. These should be simple, group or pair work as appropriate. Pupils must produce three pieces for final submission:

(i) Explanation, description, narration

(ii) Exploration, analysis, imagination

(iii) Discussion, argument, persuasion

Throughout the five-term course, pupils are prepared in examination techniques and requirements. Due attention is paid throughout the course to: spelling, punctuation and grammar, re-drafting and proof-reading. Where appropriate, written and oral coursework can be submitted for English and English Literature.

b) English Literature

The final folder for submission must contain three pieces of work, to cover the following categories:

(i) Understanding of literary tradition

(ii) Appreciation of social and historical influences and cultural contexts

(iii) Comparisons between texts

NB The selection of three pieces must include responses to one drama, one poetry and one prose text not studied for the examination.

Assessment Procedures

Marking, whether for examination work or coursework, is consistent with GCSE standards and requirements. All pieces of work are marked out of /25 according to the National Curriculum grading levels (see SEG syllabuses) as indicated below:

/25

25)

24)       A*

23)

16)

15)       C

14)

7)

6)         F

5)

22)

21)       A

20)

13)

12)       D

11)

4)

3)         G

2)

19)

18)       B

17)

10)

9)         E

8)

1)

0)         U

 

Additionally, comments are given on effort, good work and areas for improvement: mistakes are corrected on the work itself.

Pupils in Years 10 and 11 have one homework per week, of approximately 1 hour duration.

Homeworks normally consist of written work but may sometimes be oral preparation or a piece of research.

Assessment at the end of Year 10 is by examination and in Year 11, examination entry is by mock examination, results and coursework.

Text Books

These are texts prescribed by SEG and may vary from year to year. Six texts are studied in all, three for examination and a different three for coursework - for each category pupils study one poetry, one prose and one drama text.

Equipment

Dictionary

Thesaurus (recommended)

Set texts (issued by English Department)