English

We at Campion School have recently re-designed the curriculum so that enjoyment of literature - nurtured through creativity - has the same status and priority as analysis of language: this guiding belief in the enjoyment of literature underpins our work. We intend to mobilise the power of Literature to open doors in thinking and to connect students to the issues, ideas and feelings which shape our lives. Every scheme of learning now includes a range of references to the conversation of mankind, supporting students to debate and grapple with big ideas whilst seeing the relevance of literary works to today. In this and in other ways, we encourage students to find their voice in the world.

Students in Key Stage 3 undertake the following schemes of work.

Level Descriptions

The progress of students in Key Stage 3 are described using the following progress tiers.

More information about this page will be added in the coming weeks.

NON-EXAMINATION ASSESSMENT

Throughout the course students are assessed on their skills in spoken language. This is assessed by their teacher for a separate endorsement and does not contribute to their overall GCSE score. Students' are assessed on how they present information and ideas for different purposes and audiences.

Paper One: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

The aim of this paper is to engage students in a creative text and inspire them to write creatively themselves. The written exam lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and is worth a total of 80 marks. It is split into two sections:

• Part A: Reading (40 marks, 25% of GCSE)

  Students will read one literary fiction text (20th or 21st century) in order to consider how established writers use narrative and descriptive techniques to capture the interest of readers, (critical reading and comprehension). Students will answer four questions which will text their understanding of the text and their analysis of language and structure and will focus on AO1, AO2, AO4:

  • 1 short form question (4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (8 marks each)
  • 1 extended question (20 marks)
• Part B: Writing (40 marks, 25% of GCSE)

  Students will write their own creative text, inspired by the topic that they have responded to in section A to demonstrate their narrative and descriptive skills in response to a written prompt, scenario or visual image, (producing clear and coherent text and writing for impact). Students will complete one prescribed extended writing question (24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy) and will be assessed for AO5 and AO6.

Paper Two: Writer's Viewpoints and Perspectives

The aim of this paper is to develop student’ insights into how writers have particular viewpoints and perspectives on issues or themes that are important to the way we think and live our lives.The written exam lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and is worth a total of 80 marks. It is split into two sections:

• Part A: Reading (40 marks, 25% of GCSE)

  Students will be given two linked sources of a non-fiction text and a literary non-fiction text, they will draw from the 19th century and either the 20th or 21st century to consider how the writer’s perspective or viewpoint will influence the reader. Students will answer four questions from the two linked texts which will text their understanding of the text and their analysis of language and structure and will focus on AO1, AO2, AO4:

  • 1 short form question (4 marks)
  • 2 longer form questions (8 marks each)
  • 1 extended question (20 marks)
• Part B: Writing (40 marks, 25% of GCSE)

  Students will produce one extended writing question (24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy). Students must produce a written task for a specified audience, purpose and form in which they must give their own perspective on a theme that has been introduced in section A of paper, students will be assessed for AO5 and AO6. 

Reading Sources for Papers One and Two

The sources for the reading questions will be non-fiction and literary non-fiction texts. They will be drawn from the 19th century, and either the 20th or 21st century depending on the time period assessed in Paper 1 in each particular series. The combination selected will always provide students with an opportunity to consider viewpoints and perspectives over time. Choice of genre will include: ‘high quality journalism, articles, reports, essays, travel writing, accounts, sketches, letters, diaries, autobiography and biographical passages or other appropriate non-fiction and literary non-fiction forms.’

Assessment Objectives

Examiners are looking for different skills in different texts and examinations when they are marking your work. These skills are known as assessment objectives and they will vary between exams. English literature and English language have different assessment objectives. It is worth learning the different assessment objectives to be clear what you are going to be examined on. (Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across exam boards).

The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives in English language:

• AO1:
  • identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas
  • select and synthesise evidence from different texts
• AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views.
• AO3: Compare writers - ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
• AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
• AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts.
• AO6: Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole.)

Progression and Complementary Studies

We currently offer English literature at A level. As a core subject, English is popular and highly regarded at A-Level and beyond. It  combines well with most subjects. Pupils can proceed not only to a degree in English but also in fields such as film or media studies. English provides an ideal springboard for a variety of careers such as law, publishing, journalism, advertising and teaching.

Paper One: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel

This written exam lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and is worth a total of 64 marks. It is worth 40% of the GCSE and is split into two sections:

• Part A: Shakespeare

  Students are assessed on their understanding of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Students are asked to answer one question for Part A. They are required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

• Part B: 19th Century Novel

  Students are assessed on their understanding of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Like Part A, Part B asks students to answer one question, writing in detail about an extract from the novel and then about the novel as a whole.

Paper Two: Modern Texts and Poetry

This written exam lasts for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and is worth a total of 96 marks. It is worth 60% of the GCSE and is split into three sections:

• Part A: Modern Prose or Drama
  Students answer one question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text. The text studied at Campion is J.B Priestley's An Inspector Calls.

• Part B: Poetry Anthology
  Students are asked to answer one comparative question on a named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster. The chosen cluster at Campion is ‘Power and Conflict’.

• Part C: Unseen Poetry
  Students answer one question on an unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Assessment Objectives

Examiners are looking for different skills in different texts and examinations when they are marking your work. These skills are known as assessment objectives and they will vary between exams. English literature and English language have different assessment objectives. It is worth learning the different assessment objectives to be clear what you are going to be examined on. (Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across exam boards).

The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives in English literature:

• AO1: Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:
  • maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
  • use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.
• AO2: Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.
• AO3: Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.
• AO4: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

Progression and Complementary Studies

We currently offer English literature at A level. As a core subject, English is popular and highly regarded at A-Level and beyond. It  combines well with most subjects. Pupils can proceed not only to a degree in English but also in fields such as film or media studies. English provides an ideal springboard for a variety of careers such as law, publishing, journalism, advertising and teaching.

To encourage deep learning through a selection of demanding texts which empower and encourage thought provoking debate amongst students.  From this, students will become empowered to develop and transfer these skills through essay writing and oral presentations during the study of eight literary texts and unseen poetry.

Component 1: Drama- two hour and fifteen minute open book examination. 30% of the final mark

Drama will cover one Shakespearean play and one other drama from the genre of tragedy, these tests include Dr Faustus (A text) by Christopher Marlowe ( ISBN-10: 0582817803 ISBN-13: 978-0582817807) and Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

The study of a Shakespearean play will be supported by a Critical Anthology on either genre.

Students will answer two essay questions, one on each play studied.

Component 2: Prose- one hour open book examination. 20% of the final mark

Prose will study two texts from a chosen theme – Women and Society, these texts include Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (pre-1900) and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Students will answer one comparative essay question from a choice of two on their studied theme.

Component 3: Poetry- two hour and fifteen minute open book examination. 30% of the final mark.

Poetry will explore poetic form, meaning and language for both contemporary (post -2000 poetry) and a range of poetry from either a specified poet or literary period:

T.S. Eliot: Selected Poems – Faber: ISBN 9780571247059

Students will also study poetry from the anthology Poems of the Decade:

An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–2011  (ISBN-10: 0571325408 ISBN-13: 978-0571325405)

Coursework- 20% of the final mark.

Students will study two texts that are linked by theme, genre, and ideas and produce a comparative essay between 2500-3000 words.  This will be internally assessed and moderated by the examination board.

Assessment 

Three externally examined papers and one coursework component.

Progression into Higher Education/Vocational Destinations

One of the advantages of choosing English is that the subject is highly regarded by admissions tutors and employers.  It is a popular subject at university - not least because it is intrinsically enjoyable and (for those who have the skill and enthusiasm) not too difficult!  Careers in law, journalism, the media and education are possibilities but the study of English provides a valuable general background for many areas.  At Advanced Level, English can be successfully combined with many other subjects including mathematics and the sciences, but modern languages, history and classical studies are well-established combinations.

Further Information

Candidates will be required to demonstrate an ability to respond to a range of texts with understanding and knowledge.  They will need an ability to discuss their own and other readers’ interpretations of texts and an ability to communicate informed, independent opinions and judgements.  These objectives will be assessed through written examinations and coursework.