Students follow the AQA courses leading to two GCSE qualifications.
For their English Language GCSE students will sit two exams at the end of Year 11. In English Language Paper 1 students learn how to analyse and evaluate the language and structure used in ONE contemporary fiction text, and write creatively. In Paper 2 students learn how to compare two different non-fiction texts, one contemporary and one 19th Century text. Students will find information, summarise, analyse language and compare viewpoints in the texts, and write their own non-fiction piece.
For their English Literature GCSE students will study: William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet; Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls and a poetry anthology exploring themes of power and conflict.
| Year 10 Curriculum Overview | Topic | Content and skills |
|---|---|---|
| HT1 | GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section B – Writing imaginatively | Students will focus on honing their writer’s voice and their writing craft in a series of lessons that develops students to think like a writer and write like one! They will be exploring a range of themes including thriller, gothic and detective fiction. Students will be exposed to a range of thoughtful texts and explore how writers create atmosphere and tension to apply their findings to their own writing. |
| HT2 | GCSE English Language Paper Section A – reading and analysing fiction texts | Students will explore a variety of writing styles of non-fiction writers from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, analysing how writers use language, structure and form to put across their ideas and comparing and synthesising the texts to equip them with the skills needed for their GCSE mock exam this term. |
| HT3 | GCSE English Language Paper 2 Section B – Transactional Writing | Students will focus on honing their writer’s voice and their writing craft in a series of lessons that develops students to think like a writer and write like one producing thoughtful non-fiction writing. Students will be looking at topics that are relevant in today’s society such as Education, Careers and the NHS. Students will be given opportunities to discuss their own viewpoint and opinions, whilst developing the skills needed to be successful in the exam. |
| HT4 | GCSE English Language Paper 1 and 2 Reading | Students will revisit and practice question 4 and 5 of both papers to ensure they understand the skills they need to be successful in their GCSE. These questions are awarded the most marks in the exam so it is vital students are confident in applying these skills to ensure their success. |
| HT5 | English Language Revision | Teachers and students will choose what areas to work on with students from the above four areas to best prepare them for their GCSE English exam to be sat in June. |
| HT6 | An Inspector Calls | Students will explore the social and historical context of this play and analyse how Priestley presents key themes and characters and uses language to impact his audience. Teachers will be focuses on the skills students need to equip them in the Literature exam next year. |
| Year 11 Curriculum Overview | Topic | Content and skills |
|---|---|---|
| HT1 | Poetry Power and Conflict | Students study an anthology of 15 poems analysing how authors use language, structure and form to present their ideas, and learn how to analyse an unseen poem for their English Literature Paper 2 exam. |
| HT2 | A Christmas Carol English Literature Paper 1 | Students will read and explore the popular Dickens’ novella ‘A Christmas Carol’ developing knowledge and understanding of how Dickens uses language to present characters, themes and ideas. They will analyse relevant quotations to support their analysis in the exam. Their exam question will ask them to analyse a given extract from the text and explore the extract in relation to the play as a whole. |
| HT3 | Romeo and Juliet English Literature Paper 1 | Students will read and explore the popular Shakespeare play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ developing knowledge and understanding of how Shakespeare uses stagecraft, structure and language to present characters, themes and ideas. They will analyse relevant quotations to support their analysis in the exam. Their exam question will ask them to analyse a given extract from the text and explore the extract in relation to the play as a whole. |
| HT4 | An Inspector Calls and Poetry Revision - English Literature Paper 2 | Revision of An Inspector Calls, students will revise Priestley’s use of language, structure, dramatic devices, themes and characters as well as the social and historical context of the play. Revision of the power and conflict poems and the poet’s ideas as well as revising how to approach and analyse unseen poetry. |
| HT5 | Exams |