English

English Language

Students study AQA English Language. Delivered by our renowned English department, this course covers a wide range of reading and writing skills.

Students will learn how to write fluently and effectively across a range of creative and non-fiction styles, including how to express their opinions persuasively and convincingly. They will study a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and will be able to find information and evaluate it critically, as well as comparing and contrasting texts.

The course is examined through two exam papers. Paper one is Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing. This involves analysing a fiction text and writing creatively, either a narrative or a descriptive piece. Paper two is Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives. This involves analysing and comparing two non-fiction texts, one from the 19th century and one from the 20th or 21st century. The writing section of this text involves discussing an issue which is linked to the themes of the reading texts.

English Literature

Students study AQA English Literature. This course, which is delivered by our English department, covers literature texts from British literary history.

Students will study an anthology of poetry on the theme of conflict, a Shakespeare play (Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth), a 19th century novel (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens) and a modern play (An Inspector Calls by Priestly or Blood Brothers by Russell). Students will study the historical contexts, themes and language of the chosen texts.

This course is also examined through two exam papers. Paper one examines Shakespeare and the 19th century novel and involves writing extended essays on extracts from the texts. Paper two examines the modern play, the poetry anthology and unseen poetry. For poetry, students will be required to compare two poems on similar themes.

Spoken Language Assessment

Student will also be assessed on their spoken language ability. This will involve a presentation and can be on a range of topics that interest the students. They will present their ideas and then be expected to answer questions on their topic. This is done within the school and moderated by the exam board. Spoken Language is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction and is a separate grade to the Language and Literature GCSEs.