BOURNEMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

GCSE English

Language and Literature GCSEs

English Language is a core subject and serves as a foundation for most, if not all, other subjects.  The skills developed in the course: reading, writing, speaking and listening are relevant beyond the English classroom and pupils will find them essential wherever their future choices lead them.  For this reason, English Language GCSE Grade 5 or above is an entry requirement for the majority of courses and jobs that girls enter after leaving BSG. 

English Language GCSE (AQA)

English Language is a core subject and serves as a foundation for most, if not all, other subjects.  The skills developed in the course: reading, writing, speaking and listening are relevant beyond the English classroom and pupils will find them essential wherever their future choices lead them.  For this reason, English Language GCSE Grade 5 or above is an entry requirement for the majority of courses and jobs that girls enter after leaving BSG.  

What will I learn and how is the course structured? 

The English Language course is designed to develop pupils’ skills as readers and writers. These are assessed through two examinations at the end of the course. 

During the course pupils will read a wide variety of texts from the nineteenth century up to the present day, including both fiction and non-fiction. They will develop skills in understanding, interpreting, analysing and evaluating texts and learn how to express their responses clearly in writing. 

Pupils will develop their ability to write in a range styles and for different audiences and purposes.   

The specification offers the attraction of two equally-balanced papers, relating reading sources to the topic and theme of writing tasks. The reading sources act as stimulus for writing tasks, providing students with a clear route through each paper. 

Each paper has a distinct identity to better support high quality provision and 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. 

Spoken Language (formerly known as Speaking and Listening) is also formally assessed. The endorsement is valued by BSG as it emphasises the importance of the wider benefits that speaking and listening skills have for students. This does not contribute to the final GCSE grade, but is endorsed separately. The endorsed unit will draw on good practice to suggest how engaging tasks throughout teaching of the specification can lead to a single endorsed assessment at the end of the course. 

Examinations 

Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (50%) 

 I hour 45 minutes 

Section A Reading: Four questions on an unseen prose fiction text   

Section B Writing: Choice of two tasks: descriptive and narrative 

Paper 2 Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (50%) 

1 hour 45 minutes 

Section A Reading: Four questions on two linked non-fiction texts.  At least one will have been written in the nineteenth century. 

Section B Writing: One task.  Produce a text for a specific audience and purpose.    

English Literature (AQA)

All pupils at BSG take GCSE English Literature as well as English Language. The teaching and learning for both subjects happens in English lessons but lead to two separate GCSE qualifications. The preparation for the two courses is integrated.  The English Literature course builds on the many skills developed in English Language but the emphasis is on reading and responding to a variety of literary texts in a range of ways.  The integrated courses complement and consolidate learning for both elements. 

What will I learn and how is the course structured? 

The English Literature course develops the skills of interpretation, analysis, evaluation and the ability to present and justify a personal response.  Students will study a range of texts including a Shakespeare play, a nineteenth century novel, modern prose or drama and a selection of poetry. They will explore the significance of the social, cultural and historical contexts of what they read. 

The specification takes a skills-based approach to the study of English literature that is consistent across the genres.  The AQA specification that is followed has produced question papers and mark schemes that has enabled inspirational literature teaching and students to achieve their very best on every question.  

It offers excellent preparation for AS and A-level English Literature, as well as giving students a grounding in a wide variety of literature that will stay with them for life. 

Examinations 

Paper 1 Shakespeare and the 19th Century novel (50%) 

1 hour 45 minutes 

Section A  One question on a Shakespeare play e.g. The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth 

Section B  One question on a 19th Century novel e.g. Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Jekyll and Hyde  

Paper 2 Modern texts and poetry (50%) 

2 hours 15 minutes 

Section A  One question from a choice of two on prepared prose or drama text e.g. Animal Farm, An Inspector Calls, Lord of the Flies 

Section B  One question comparing two poems from a prepared anthology. 

Section C  Two questions on unseen poetry.  One will be a comparative question. 

 

All examinations are ‘closed book’, which means pupils are not allowed to take their texts into examinations. 

Further information:

For further information in the English Language GCSE Specification: Click Here

For further information in the English Literature GCSE Specification: Click Here