English Literature
Subject Intent
The study of English underpins all subjects and has a pre-eminent place in society. All the skills are integral to participating fully as a member of society and help them progress in the wider world of employment. A high quality and enriching education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently, so that they can communicate their ideas in a developed and articulate way. Through reading, pupils have the opportunity to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and socially and reading for pleasure is encouraged across all year groups. The study of English is a study of what it is to be a human being in the wider world, where emotions, thoughts and views are expressed in the classroom environment as well as through the literature texts we use.
Aims
The overarching aim for English is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word. We aim to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for pleasure. The curriculum for both English Language and Literature aims to ensure that all pupils:
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Students will study a range of different literature texts from the Edexcel exam board. Shakespeare, poetry, the 19th century novel and a contemporary play will be analysed and discussed throughout their literature lessons. Pupils have closed book examinations, so revision and resilience are integral to success.
Key Stage 3
English Literature is taught as an integral part of English at both Key Stages and, as such, students can encounter a variety of texts and are thereby encouraged to become enthusiastic, receptive and knowledgeable readers. Students should develop an appreciation and love of reading and read increasingly challenging material independently throughout their school career. We actively encourage students’ own wider reading through the Renaissance Reader scheme and a lunchtime Book Club.
In Year 7, students will explore the following units with a Literature focus:
- The Lady of Shallot and Unseen Poetry: Students will read a variety of different poems linking to a variety of themes and have the opportunity to use their creative skills to explore poetic techniques
- Shakesperience – an introduction to Shakespeare: This unit explores the power of language and structure through exploring a selection of extracts from Shakespearean plays
- The Sign of Four (19th Century short story): Conan Doyle’s infamous short story provides a powerful impression of Victorian London, offering an excellent opportunity to develop students’ inference and analytical skills and their exploration of writers’ purpose.
In Year 8, students will explore the following units with a Literature focus:
- The Big Six and Unseen Poetry: Students study a selection of 19th Century poems from the Romantic movement which allows them to develop and explore the ways poets craft language and structure to convey powerful ideas and issues at the time
- The Tempest: Students dive into Shakespeare’s comedic tale of love, betrayal and magic. They will team drama with analysis in developing their own response to the text exploring the presentation of key themes and ideas
- Frankenstein play text: A chance for students to pause, think hard, and pull their analytical skills together in exploring Philip Pullman’s engaging adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel
At the start of Year 9, students begin to prepare for GCSE, practicing the relevant skills and reading some of the set texts that they will cover at KS4.
Key Stage 4
The following information has been taken from the Pearson website. For more information about this GCSE please click the link below:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/english-literature-2015.html
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Component 1: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature Paper = 50% of the total GCSE |
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Overview of content: ● Study a Shakespeare play and a post-1914 British play or novel. ● Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects. ● Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response.
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Overview of assessment: ● Section A – Shakespeare: a two-part question, with the first task focused on an extract of approximately 30 lines. The second task is focused on how a theme reflected in the extract is explored elsewhere in the play. ● Section B – Post-1914 British play or novel: ONE essay question.
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The total number of marks available is 80. |
Assessment duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes. |
The texts we study for this exam are:
- Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth
- Post-1914 Literature: An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley
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Component 2: 19th-century Novel and Poetry since 1789 Paper = 50% of the total GCSE |
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Overview of content: ● Study a 19th-century novel and a poetry collection from the Pearson Poetry Anthology. ● Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects. ● Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response. ● Develop comparison skills.
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Overview of assessment: ● Section A – 19th-century novel: a two-part question, with the first part focussed on an extract of approximately 400 words. The second part is an essay question exploring the whole text. ● Section B – Part 1: ONE question comparing a named poem from the Pearson Poetry Anthology collection to another poem from that collection. The named poem will be shown in the question paper. Part 2: ONE question comparing two unseen contemporary poems. |
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The total number of marks available is 80. |
Assessment duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes. |
GCSE English Literature examinations uphold a ‘closed book’ policy. No materials are allowed to be brought into the examination hall.
GCSE English Literature homework could include:
- PPE revision using mark schemes and model answers
- Reading the literature required for the exam
- Creating questions based on the texts
- Practising questions for both exams
- Preparing annotations for poems and extract questions
Interventions and revision sessions will run throughout the year. Your son/daughter will be notified if they are expected to attend.