English Language & English Literature

Pupils will study both AQA GCSE English Language and AQA GCSE English Literature.

For AQA GCSE English Language pupils, the specification offers the attraction of two equallybalanced papers, relating reading sources to the topic and theme of writing tasks. The reading sources act as stimulus for writing tasks, providing pupils with a clear route through each paper.

Each paper has a distinct identity to better support engaging teaching and learning.

Paper 1

(Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing) looks at how writers use narrative and descriptive techniques to engage the interest of readers.

Paper 2

(Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives) looks at how different writers present a similar topic over time. This course is 100% externally examined.

AQA GCSE English Literature is assessed by means of two examination papers.

Paper 1 (Shakespeare and a 19th Century Novel) requires pupils to write in detail about extracts from their chosen play and novel, then to write about the two texts as a whole.

Paper 2 (Modern Texts and Poetry) comprises of Section A (Modern Texts) in which pupils will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.

In Section B (Poetry) pupils will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper, and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.

Section C (Unseen Poetry) requires pupils to answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

All pupils will study a wide-range of literary texts from an equally broad list of authors. We endeavour not only to prepare pupils for the challenges of public examinations, but to equip them with useful skills for life beyond school. We seek to instil an interest in literature which will extend well beyond the classroom and into later life.

Mr Hambleton Head of English msjh@kingsbruton.com