There are a variety of potential programmes of study in English at KS4:
- GCSE English Language
- GCSE English Literature
- Functional Skills English
- AQA Unit Award Scheme
Where appropriate, students may combine study across two programmes (e.g. GCSE Language and Functional Skills).
GCSE English Language
Edexcel Level 1 or Level 2 GCSE (9-1) – English Language (1ENO)
Component 1: Fiction and Imaginative Writing English Today (40% of the total GCSE)
- Section A – Reading: study and analyse selections from a range of prose fiction
- Section B – imaginative writing: explore and develop imaginative writing skills.
Component 2: Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing (60% of the total GCSE)
- Section A – Reading: study and analyse selections from a range of non-fiction texts (including literary non-fiction)
- Section B – Transactional writing: explore and develop transactional writing skills, for example, letters, articles, reports.
These components will be externally assessed at the end of the two year course.
Spoken language is still assessed but will appear on all students’ GCSE certificates as a separately reported grade alongside the overall grade issued. More information about this course can be accessed here
GCSE English Literature
Edexcel Level 1 or Level 2 GCSE (9-1) – English Language (1ETO)
Component 1: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature (50% of the total GCSE)
- Section A – Study and analyse a Shakespeare play, answering questions about an extract and themes throughout the whole play.
- Section B – Study and analyse a Post-194 play or novel, answering an essay style question.
Component 2: 19th Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 (50% of the total GCSE)
- Section A – Study and analyse a 19th Century novel, answering questions about an extract and exploring the whole text.
- Section B – Study a poetry anthology, answering questions comparing two poems within the anthology and one unseen poem.
These components will be externally assessed at the end of the two year course.
Edexcel Functional Skills English
Functional Skills English qualifications are designed to give learners the skills to operate confidently, effectively and independently in education, work and everyday life. They have been created in response to employers’ perceptions that many learners are not achieving a sufficiently firm grounding in the basics.
The qualifications range from entry level to level 2 (Level 1 and 2 are GCSE equivalent)
The aims of these qualifications are to develop learner understanding and skills in:
Level 2
- Speaking, Listening and Communication – make a range of contributions to discussions in a range of contexts, including those that are unfamiliar, and make effective presentations.
- Reading – select, read, understand and compare texts and use them to gather information, ideas, arguments and opinions.
- Writing – write a range of texts, including extended written documents communication information, ideas and opinions, effectively and persuasively.
Level 1
- Speaking, Listening and Communication – take full part in formal and informal discussions and exchanges that include unfamiliar subjects.
- Reading – read and understand a range of straightforward texts.
- Writing – write a range of texts to communicate information, ideas and opinions using formats and styles suitable for their purpose and audience.
Entry Level 3
- Speaking, Listening and Communication – respond appropriately to others and make some extended contributions in familiar formal and informal discussions and exchanges.
- Reading – Read and understand the purpose and content of straightforward texts that explain, inform and recount information.
- Writing – Write texts with some adaptation to the intended audience.
Entry Level 2
- Speaking, Listening and Communication – participate in discussions/exchanges about familiar topics making active contributions, with one or more people in familiar situations.
- Reading – Read and understand short, simple texts that explain or recount information.
- Writing – Write short texts with some awareness of the intended audience.
Entry Level 1
- Speaking, Listening and Communication – participate in and understand the main points of simple discussions/exchanges about familiar topics with another person in a familiar situation.
- Reading – Read and understand short, simple texts that explain or recount information.
- Writing – Write short, simple sentences.
AQA Unit Award Scheme
The AQA Unit Award Scheme enables students to complete coursework and engage in practical tasks at a level differentiated to meet their individual needs. It is a flexible program that offers learners the opportunity to have their achievements formally recognised across different subject areas with a certificate each time a short unit is successfully completed. The areas for English are reading, writing, speaking and listening.
KS4 English Language Long Term Plan – Theta & Iota
CLASS |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
YEAR 10
Component |
Non-fiction Reading &
Transactional Writing |
Fiction Reading &
Imaginative Writing |
Comparison and Evaluation Skills (AO3 & AO4)
Transactional Writing (focus on form & purpose) |
Assessment |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 2
Non-fiction reading & Transactional writing |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1
Fiction reading & Imaginative writing |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1
Fiction reading & Imaginative writing
Paper 2
Non-fiction reading & Transactional writing |
YEAR 11
Component |
Transactional writing AO5 & AO6
(Paper 2 Section B)
Non-fiction reading
AO4 evaluation
(Paper 2 Section A) |
Non-fiction reading
AO1, AO2, AO3
(Paper 2 Section A)
Imaginative writing
AO5 & AO6
(Paper 1 Section B)
Fiction reading
AO4 evaluation
(Paper 1 Section A) |
Revision
Exam preparation |
Assessment |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1
Fiction reading & Imaginative writing
Paper 2
Non-fiction reading & Transactional writing |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1
Fiction reading & Imaginative writing
Paper 2
Non-fiction reading & Transactional writing |
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KS4 English Literature Long Term Plan – Theta & Iota
CLASS |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
YEAR 10
Component |
Frankenstein |
Romeo & Juliet |
Poetry Anthology |
Assessment |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 2 Section A
19th century novel |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1 Section A
Shakespeare |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 2 Section B (part 1)
Poetry |
YEAR 11
Component |
Boys Don’t Cry |
Unseen poetry
Poetry Anthology revision
Frankenstein revision
Romeo & Juliet revision |
Revision & exam preparation |
Assessment |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 1 Section B
Post-1914 novel |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 2 Section B
Poetry |
MOCK EXAM
Paper 2 Section A
19th century novel
Paper 1 Section A
Shakespeare |
KS4 English Functional Skills English – Theta & Iota
CLASS |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
YEAR 10
Component |
Reading
Writing |
Speaking, Listening & Communication
Speaking, Listening & Communication
(Reading) |
Reading Assessment preparation (Writing)
Writing Assessment preparation |
Assessment |
MOCK Reading assessment
MOCK Writing assessment |
Speaking, Listening & Communication assessment part 1
Speaking, Listening & Communication assessment part 2 |
Reading assessment
Writing assessment |
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KS4 English Functional Skills English – Zeta
CLASS |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
YEAR 11
Component |
Reading
Writing |
Speaking, Listening & Communication
Speaking, Listening & Communication
Reading |
Reading Assessment preparation
Writing
Writing Assessment preparation |
Assessment |
MOCK Reading assessment
MOCK Writing assessment |
Speaking, Listening & Communication assessment part 1
Speaking, Listening & Communication assessment part 2 |
Reading assessment
Writing assessment |
Complementary topic |
Advertising Understanding purpose & audience
Travel brochures Developing descriptive writing |
Poetry
Developing performance skills |
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