GCSE examinations in English and English Literature

We prepare for the Edexcel English and English literature GCSEs: English 1203 and English Literature 1213. Pupils can be entered for the Foundation or Higher Tier levels for these examinations. For pupils who take the Higher Tier, grades between A* and D are usually awarded (though, in exceptional circumstances, a grade E can be given). The Foundation Tier targets grades C to G. Most of our pupils take the Higher Tier.

Here is a brief outline of the course content:

English

The final grade for English is based on coursework (40%) and two final examinations (60%).

The coursework for English is divided into three categories:

Speaking and Listening: this accounts for 20% of final marks. These are awarded for three assessed activities over the course of the 3ème and 2nde years. These activities are of various types, and involve speaking individually, in groups and in pairs. A drama component is required in one of the three assessed pieces.
Reading coursework accounts for 10% of the final marks and is based on two essays, one on a play by Shakespeare, one on a text written by an writer who comes from outside the U.K. We choose to base this on one of the texts studied for the Literature examination [presently, J. Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men] so that the writing of the English essay serves as preparation for the Literature examination – see below.
Writing coursework also accounts for 10% of the final marks. This tests personal and imaginative writing and is based on a piece of autobiographical, fiction or feature writing.

There are two final examination papers, each one lasting 2 hours, each accounting for 30% of marks, or for 60% when combined. Marks for reading and writing carry equal weight over the two papers.

The first paper ['The Craft of the Writer'] is based on texts from an Edexcel anthology issued free to all students at the beginning of the course. This includes 19^th and 20^th century prose and poetry. The poetry selection we are studying is entitled 'Identity''; we are also studying the section entitled 'Non-fiction prose pieces'. This paper consists of three questions, carrying equal marks (10% of the overall mark each). The first two questions involve analysis and response to the set texts in the anthology (one on poetry, one on prose). Pupils may have clean copies of the anthology during the examination. These are issued to them by the school.

The third question is more open and is marked for writing.

The second paper, the media/non-fiction paper, is based upon unseen media texts issued with the examination paper. Newspaper and magazine writing, advertising and publicity materials are examples of what have been set in the past.

There are three questions, carrying equal marks (again 10% of the overall mark each). The first involves analysis of the texts and is marked for reading. The next two questions involve response and evaluation and the candidate’s own factual/ persuasive writing and are both marked for writing.

ENGLISH LITERATURE

The final grade for English Literature is based on coursework (30%) and one final examination (70%).

The coursework comprises three essays: one on a piece of pre 20th century drama, one on a piece of 19th century fiction and one on pre-1914 poetry. As we choose to make the first the same Shakespeare play as for English, above, the same essay serves for both coursework folders; at present we are studying Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson as our prose fiction piece and a selection of pre-20th century poems (based on a previous Edexcel anthology, Tracks 2) for this third essay.

The final examination involves one paper of two and a half hours. Three texts are prepared for the examination. Clean copies of all three may be taken into the examination. These are issued to the pupils at the examination by the school.

The set texts are from the following categories:

20th century fiction (e.g. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee or Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.)
20th century drama (e.g. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, Journey’s End by R.C. Sheriff, or The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.)
20th century poetry. This is based on a selection of poems from the Edexcel anthology referred to above.

We are currently studying the 'Identity' selection for both the English and English literature examinations.

The single examination paper offers a choice of two questions on each of the texts studied.

Coursework Portfolio:

The written coursework portfolio is common to both examinations. Given the overlap in texts and types of coursework, only five pieces need be submitted. They must be the best work of which the candidate is capable. Most coursework will be finished before Christmas of the 2nde year, to allow enough time for examination preparation. Written coursework must be the candidate’s own work; a declaration to this effect is signed and included when the portfolio is submitted. Sanctions for plagiarism or copying are very serious and can involve loss of all GCSE qualifications taken at that examining session.

Marking criteria

All examination boards now issue criteria upon which markers of coursework must base their judgments. These are regularly used with students, who receive of the criteria for written and oral work. Copies of these criteria are available from teachers and directly from Edexcel.

Further details

A two-year course: implications for pupils who arrive in 2nde.

Preparation for GCSE involves work over a two-year period covering 3ème and 2nde. Some of the coursework is written in 3ème: the essay on Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde [English Literature coursework] and the personal / creative writing [English coursework]. Some of the poetry and the non-fiction prose texts from the anthology are also studied. Pupils who come into the school in 2nde need to read the texts studied in 3ème during the summer. They need to produce first drafts of both their coursework on Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and a personal, autobiographical or fictional piece. In addition they must prepare the poems being set to the 3ème as summer work which is the required personal reading for the piece of GCSE literature coursework on a selection of pre-20th century poems. A handout of the poems is given to all pupils.

Pupils expecting to integrate into 2nde, therefore, need to be committed to personal reading and research. Support and help are given to ensure they can complete the coursework pieces, but success is dependent on the pupil's own initiative.

Materials needed including set books and the anthology (and other material issued by the exam board)

Both the English and English Literature examinations are partly based upon an anthology of prose and poetry, which is produced by the examination board and issued free of charge to all students. Students must keep this carefully and make notes in it when texts are studied in class. A lost copy may be replaced but must be ordered directly from the examination board and paid for. Because set books are issued to the students for their exclusive use, annotation and underlining, we charge for these books, usually on the first bill, which families receive in October. In addition, pupils in 3ème buy a Media book to prepare for the unseen Media paper in 2nde.

Final Examinations

The final examinations in both subjects take place in the May and June at the end of the 2nde year. Students sit a mock examination in each subject in the preceding March or April.

We are only notified about final dates in the preceding April so families need to be aware that holidays and trips cannot be booked during this period. As the examinations are British, the dates can include French bank and school holidays when the school is opened just for an examination. Mock examinations are placed about one month before the first real examinations, but their timing takes account of the Easter holiday dates, which move from year to year. Students are told the dates of exams as early as possible in the year, and receive a clear final statement of entry from the Edexcel board in March, showing the times of papers they are sitting.

Secondary Section