Builth Wells High School - English Literature

English - GCSE

Course outline

Year 10	Year 11
Autumn Term • Coursework English/Literature	Autumn Term • Completion of Written Coursework English/Literature • Literature Exam texts • Preparation for Paper 2 • Exam techniques/Time Management • Preparation for Literature exam
Spring Term • Coursework English/Literature • Literature Exam text	Spring Term • Completion of Speaking and Listening coursework • Past paper practice for English papers 1 and 2 • Completion of Literature texts • Preparation for Literature exam
Summer Term • Preparation for English Paper 1 • Exam techniques/Time Management • Preparation for shortened Literature paper	Summer Term • Revision of exam questions for English and Literature

Homework frequency

Year 10	Year 11
Homework is set when it is appropriate and beneficial to do so.	Homework is set when it is appropriate and beneficial to do so.

Likely forms that homework will take

Year 10	Year 11
Preparatory reading of texts and note making Drafting and re-drafting of coursework assignments Research and background or wider reading	Preparatory reading of texts and note making Drafting and re-drafting of coursework assignments Research and background or wider reading Completion of past paper questions Revision of exam texts and likely questions

Student grouping

Year 10	Year 11
Sets 1a and 1b (English and Literature) Set 3 (English and Literature) Set 4 ( English only) Set 5a and 5b (English only with some Entry Level students)	Set 1 (English and Literature) Sets 2a and 2b (English and Literature) Set 4 (English only) Set 5 (English only) Set 6 (English only with Entry level students)

Assessment pattern

Year 10

Year 11

During the course, students complete a folder for English/Literature. The pieces are graded. Students are also given an end-of-year exam in English, and Literature where appropriate

New syllabuses information for parents

Students complete their coursework in Year 11. The folders are assessed by the class teacher before being moderated by the department. Students sit mock examinations at the end of the first term.

Marking and grading of work

Year 10	Year 11
The coursework is marked by the teacher in line with WJEC marking guidelines. Each piece is marked out of 20. A* 18-20 A 16-17 B 14-15 C 12-13 D 10-11 E 8-9 F 6-7 G 4-5 U 1-3 Exam responses are marked according to the mark scheme for that particular paper.	The coursework is marked by the teacher in line with WJEC marking guidelines. Each piece is marked out of 20. A* 18-20 A 16-17 B 14-15 C 12-13 D 10-11 E 8-9 F 6-7 G 4-5 U 1-3 Exam responses are marked according to the mark scheme for that particular paper.

Educational Visits

Where possible, students are offered educational visits to the theatre to see performances of their set texts. Visits to London, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Swansea have been arranged in recent years.

Coursework requirements

One folder for English/Literature is completed during the course.

English

1) Shakespeare (eg. “Macbeth”)
2) Poetry from other culture (eg. “Blessing” Imtiaz Dharker, “Nothing’s Changed” Tatamkhula Afrika, “Vultures” Chinua Achebe)
3) Own writing: narrative
4) Own writing: transactional

Speaking and Listening

1) Individual extended contribution
2) Group interaction
3) Drama-focused activity

English Literature

1) Pre-1914 Poetry (eg. “To His Coy Mistress” Andrew Marvell, “The Eagle” Tennyson, “The Battle of Blenheim” Southey)
2) Shakespeare (“Macbeth”)
3) Pre-1914 Prose (“Great Expectations” Dickens, “The Red Room” Wells, “A Vendetta” Maupassant, “The Withered Arm” Hardy)
4) One other of any genre

Useful resources for the students to own, bring to school or have access to

Year 10	Year 11
GCSE Bitesize Dictionary and Thesaurus revision/study guides - DVDs of set texts	GCSE Bitesize Dictionary and Thesaurus revision/study guides - DVDs of set texts

How can you help your child?

Year 10	Year 11
Encourage careful reading and checking of written work before handing it in • Stress importance of planning, note making, drafting and re-drafting for coursework assignments • Ensure that deadlines are met • Past Papers are available from WJEC bookshop Attend parents’ evening Help to prepare a revision schedule so that exam preparation is not rushed	Encourage careful reading and checking of written work before handing it in • Stress importance of planning, note making, drafting and re-drafting for coursework assignments • Ensure that deadlines are met • Past Papers are available from WJEC bookshop Attend parents’ evening Help to prepare a revision schedule so that exam preparation is not rushed

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Year 10	Year 11
Videos/DVDs of the texts being studied • Theatre visits to performances of set texts Novels/anthologies of short stories or poems linked to writers being studied	Videos/DVDs of the texts being studied • Theatre visits to performances of set texts Novels/anthologies of short stories or poems linked to writers being studied