GCSE – ENGLISH

GCSE – English

Introduction

Pupils take a combined course in GCSE English Language and English Literature. (CCEA)

The CCEA GCSE English Language specification encourages students to explore and respond, both imaginatively and critically, to a variety of texts. Students use reading to improve their writing skills. They also enhance their understanding of how language variations relate to identity and culture diversity.

English Language

The table below summarises the structure of this GCSE course:

Content Assessment Weighting Availability
Unit 1:

Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-Fiction and Media Texts

 

External written examination

 

1 hour 40 mins

 

Students respond to five tasks.

 

30%

 

Summer and November

 

Unit 2:

Speaking and Listening

 

Controlled Assessment

 

Untiered

 

CCEA give advice on activities

 

Teachers assess the tasks and CCEA moderate the outcomes.

 

20%

 

Summer and November

 

Unit 3:

Studying Spoken and Written Language

 

 

 

Controlled Assessment

 

Untiered

 

CCEA set the tasks each year

 

Teachers assess the tasks and CCEA moderate the outcomes.

 

20%

 

Summer and November

 

Unit 4:

Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts

 

External written examination

 

Untiered

 

1 hour 40 mins

 

Students respond to five tasks.

 

30%

 

Summer and November

At least 40 percent of the assessment (based on unit weightings) must be taken at the end of the course as terminal assessment.

English Literature

The table below summarises the structure of this GCSE course:

Content Assessment Weighting Availability
Unit 1:

The Study of Prose

 

 

External written examination

 

1 hour 45 mins

 

Students answer two questions, one from Section A and the set question in Section B.

 

30% Summer

 

 

Unit 2:

The Study of

Drama and Poetry

External written examination

 

2 hours

 

Students answer two questions, one from Section A and one from Section B.

 

50% Summer

 

Unit 3:

The Study of

Shakespeare

 

Controlled assessment

 

2 hours

 

Students complete one task: an extended writing question based on a theme.

 

Teachers mark the tasks and CCEA moderate the results.

 

20% Summer

 

 

At least 40 percent of the assessment (based on unit weightings) must be taken at the end of the course as terminal assessment.

Key Stage 4 pupils have the opportunity to view media adaptations of their texts in order to develop their understanding and to attend productions and workshops when these are available.

Theatre Visits

Students, studying the Brian Friel play, ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come!’ for GCSE English Literature enjoyed Craic Theatre’s fabulous production.

 

To enhance their understanding, Year 12 students, studying the Willy Russell play, ‘Blood Brothers’ will have the opportunity to visit The Millennium Forum in Derry in 2023.

GCSE pupils have 7 periods per week.

For more information on the CCEA English Language and Literature Specifications click on the link

http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/microsites/english_literature/revised_gcse/index.asp