English

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” – Albus Dumbledore (JK Rowling)

At Thetford Grammar School, our study of English goes beyond communication skills and offers us a window through which we can explore what it is to be human.

Most of our pupils follow the Edexcel IGCSE course, studying for two IGCSEs: one in English Language (Specification A) and one in English Literature.  Some pupils will focus on one IGCSE in English Language in order to give them the best possible chance of achieving their target grade in an English qualification. Some of our International pupils will sit the Edexcel IGCSE English Language Specification B examination, which is a first-language qualification.

KS4 - English language

Assessment will be by a combination of coursework (60%) and written examination (40%).

Component One

Examination: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing (60%)

Section A: Non-fiction texts. Pupils answer questions on one taught text from the anthology and one unseen text.

Section B: Transactional writing. Pupils choose one writing task from a choice of two questions. They are required to adapt their writing to suit the designated audience, form or purpose.

 

Component Two

Coursework Portfolio (40%)

This consists of two written assignments, each of 650-800 words:

  • Assignment 1: A piece of writing responding to any two poetry or prose texts from Part 2 of the Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.
  • Assignment 2: A piece of imaginative writing.

KS4 - English Literature

Assessment is by a combination of coursework (40%) and written examination (60%).

Component One

Examination: Poetry and Modern Prose

Section A – Unseen Poetry: one 20-mark essay question exploring the meaning and

effects created in an unseen poem. The poem will be printed on the question paper.

Section B – Anthology Poetry: one 30-mark essay question from a choice of two,

comparing two studied poems from Part 3 of the anthology.

Section C – Modern Prose: one 40-mark essay question from a choice of two on the studied set text. This is currently The Whale Rider, by Witi Ihimaera. This is a closed book examination.

 

Component Two

Coursework Portfolio: Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts (40%)

Pupils will submit a portfolio of two assignments, each of 600-850 words. Each assignment will be based on the study of a complete text. Texts such as An Inspector Calls and Macbeth are studied as coursework texts.

KS5

A Level

English Literature is a popular option at A Level. Pupils follow the Edexcel A Level English Literature syllabus and are taught by both members of the English department. The syllabus is wide-ranging, thought-provoking and encourages critical thinking, providing our pupils with an excellent foundation for degree-level study.

 

The course components are as follows:

Component 1: Drama

Theme: Tragedy

Studied Texts:

  • Hamlet  - William Shakespeare
  • A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams*

 

Assessment:

  • 30% of the qualification
  • Written examination, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes.
  • Open book - clean copies of the drama texts can be taken into the examination.
  • Section A - Shakespeare: one essay question on the text, incorporating ideas from wider critical reading.
  • Section B - other Drama: one essay question on the set text.

 

Component 2: Prose

Theme: Science and Society

Studied Texts:

  • Pre-1900: Frankenstein - Mary Shelley*
  • Post 1900: Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro*

 

Assessment:

  • 20% of the qualification
  • Written examination, lasting 1 hour 15 minutes.
  • Open book - clean copies of the prose texts can be taken into the examination.
  • One comparative essay question from a choice of two on the studied theme.

 

Component 3: Poetry

Studied Texts:

  • Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2001-2010* 
  • The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale - Geoffrey Chaucer

 

Assessment:

  • 30% of the qualification
  • Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
  • Open book - clean copies of the poetry texts can be taken into the examination.
  • Section A - Post-2000 specified poetry: one comparative essay question on an unseen modern poem written post-2000 and one named poem from the studied contemporary text.
  • Section B - The Medieval Period: one essay question on the studied text.

*Starred texts double as set texts for the Edexcel AS Level qualification. 

 

Non-examination assessment

Studied Texts:

  • Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

Assessment:

  • 20% of the qualification
  • Centre-assessed (coursework)
  • One extended comparative essay referring to two texts.
  • Advisory total word count: 2500-3000 words

Assessment Objectives:

  • AO1: Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression
  • AO2:  Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts 
  • AO3: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received
  • AO4: Explore connections across literary texts 
  • AO5: Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations 
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