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English

During your time at Warneford, you will experience what we believe is the most varied subject on the curriculum. You will learn to write in many genres, to read an enormous range of texts and to speak to varied audiences. We aim for you to make swift progress in terms of your literary skills and confidence.

Analysis and creativity are key in our curriculum- we want you to become insightful readers and imaginative writers - you will be encouraged to have your own opinions and to express them freely through a range of forms. You will be always be challenged, engaged and involved in your lessons.

Through English, we hope to make you a better learner. You will reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses as you learn to improve. You will become responsible for setting yourself targets, and helping others in your class to meet theirs. You will develop resilience, and become able to motivate yourself when you find the work challenging. You will leave us an independent learner responsible for your own progress-the only limit is your imagination.

Key Stage 3 Course Outline

In Year 7 we cover:
Gothic Writing
The Hunger Games
Advertising and media 
Subversion
Macbeth 

Reading exam (May)
Writing exam (May)

In Year 8 we cover:
Debating
Persuasive Writing
The Tempest
Stone Cold
Dual narrative writing

Reading exam (May)
Writing exam (May)

Key Stage 3 now finishes at the end of year 8.

In Year 9 we cover:
Of Mice and Men
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Creative Writing
Poetry
An Inspector Calls

Key Stage 4 / GCSE

At Key Stage 4, pupils take two GCSEs – English Language and English Literature.  

English Language GCSE

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
50% of GCSE written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes – 80 marks

Section A: Reading
One literature fiction text
Reading (40 marks, 25% of the GCSE).  One single text to read.
1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
1 extended question (1 x 20 marks)

Section B: Writing
Descriptive or narrative writing
Writing (40 marks, 25% of the GCSE).
1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
50% of GCSE written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks

Section A: Reading
One non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
Reading (40 marks, 25% of the GCSE) – two linked texts.
1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)
1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)

Section B: Writing
Writing to present a viewpoint
Writing (40 marks, 25% of the GCSE)
1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)

English Literature GCSE

Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes – 64 marks – 40% of GCSE

Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. (Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth).
Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. (Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde or The Sign of Four).

Paper 2 – Modern texts and Poetry
Written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes – 96 marks – 60% of GCSE

Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. (An Inspector Calls or Lord of the Flies).
Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. (Love and Relationships or Conflict).
Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

 

An overview of both courses, can be found following these links:
AQA English Language 8700 specification at a glance
AQA English Literature 8702 specification at a glance