English

GCSE English Language and Literature

Students move into KS4 having already covered all the skills needed for GCSE study during their formative KS3 years. We study under the AQA exam board and have chosen set texts which encourage students to engage critically and empathetically with the world around them. Our GCSE teachers have a range of examining experience and up to date training which is shared directly with students to best prepare them for these important exams. 

Studying English at KS4
5 hours per week Y10

Y10

  • A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
  • Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (English Language Paper 2)
  • Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (English Language Paper 1)
  • An Inspector Calls (J.B. Priestley)
  • Power and Conflict Poetry (15 poems)
  • Worlds and Lives Poetry Anthology (15 poems)

Y11:

  • Macbeth (William Shakespeare)
  • Revision of all units

Revision

Revision should be considered a marathon, not a sprint.

Everything students learn over KS4 will come up on their AQA exams and therefore it is imperative that students use weekly homework, alongside their own independent revision, to retrieve taught content and learn quotations.

Students who begin revising little and often at an early stage in Y10 are always much more successful in their results and next steps after GCSE.

Students are regularly warned in lessons but please be aware of the perils of online 'teachers' on social media sites such as TikTok.

Much of this information is inaccurate, irrelevant and unhelpful; students should prioritise their teaching in lessons or use recommended online resources such as AQA GCSE (9-1) English Revision - PMT, TheCedarsAcademy - YouTube or Mr Bruff - YouTube

Next Steps

Students with a love of reading, critical and analytical writing, and discussion are warmly encouraged to consider joining our brilliant sixth form to study the combined A level course of English Language and Literature. Taught by passionate teachers we further build on the previous five years of skills with a selection of (relatively) modern and exciting texts featuring authors such as Margaret Atwood, Seamus Heaney and F.Scott Fitzgerald.  

VLE Courses

Please find below some link to the relevant revision courses on the VLE for your use. 

GCSE English Language Revision Course (VLE)
GCSE English Literature Revision Course (VLE)

Revision Guide 

Here is a link to a useful guide which will help you navigate all of the resources and plan successful revision sessions.

GCSE English VLE Revision Guide

Revision Videos :