INA English Department
GCSE English and Literature
The English department provides students with stimulating teaching and learning and a challenging,
creative and inspiring curriculum that enables students to achieve their full potential at Isaac
Newton Academy and beyond. At INA GCSE English and Literature builds on the skills and
knowledge acquired at Key Stage 3 and prepares students for the study of English and Literature at A
level and university. Students are prepared for study at Key Stage 4 from Year 7. The Key Stage 3
English curriculum involves the study of a wide range of challenging fiction and non-fiction texts,
with a focus on learning to read critically. Students are set GSCE-style assessments to prepare them
for the terminal exams in Year 11. We also aim to nurture a love of reading and writing to help
students build their confidence and flourish in the subject as they progress through the school.
The aim of our English teaching is not only to develop skills relevant to the exam specifications but
also to encourage students to use language appropriately within the four modes of Speaking,
Listening, Writing and Reading. We do not believe that the skills of English can be acquired or
developed in isolation. The four modes of language are by their very nature interactive and progress
in English can only be made through this constant interaction. The development of competence
within all areas of English results from the active use of English in a variety of ways. As a department,
we aim to:
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instil in all students the confidence and skills to communicate through written and oral means to
a variety of audiences in different contexts
instil confidence in all students in preparation for the GCSE examinations: knowledge of the
specifications, familiarity with the format of the papers so that they can self-assuredly deal with
the exam environment
provide students with resources and texts they both enjoy and find challenging
develop the self-confidence to in the outside world, provide them with opportunities to mature
linguistically and become sensitive, responsible adults
support students in developing their BRIDGES dispositions.
GCSE Exam Board
Following detailed consideration and comparison of the specifications and exemplar questions of the
different exam boards, the Edexcel specification has been chosen. The department particularly likes
the structure and format of the exam papers and the question types.
Structure of the course
At INA, Literature and Language will be taught as two discrete subjects. In Year 10 there will be
three lessons of literature and two of language. In Year 11 there will be three lessons of each. A
thematic approach to the schemes of learning will be adopted so that links can be drawn between
the two subjects.
English Language
Students will:
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read a wide range of texts fluently and with a detailed understanding
read a variety of high-quality, challenging non-fiction and literary non-fiction, including
whole and extended texts that make significant demands in terms of content, structure and
the quality of the language
further develop the skills of interpretation, analysis and evaluation
read critically and use the knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their
own writing
use what they learn about the writer’s craft in their reading of fiction to inspire and
influence their own imaginative writing
develop a range of creative writing techniques
develop effective planning and proofreading skills
write effectively and coherently, using Standard English appropriately
use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately
acquire and apply a wide vocabulary alongside knowledge and understanding of
grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken
language
develop expert oral presentation skills
use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches, presentations and other contexts.
The conventions of text types will be taught through reading. Students will have opportunities to
practise writing each text type. The teaching will be weighted in favour of Paper 2, due to the time
needed to teach AO3.
GCSE English Literature
Students will:
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read a wide range of classic literature fluently and with a deep understanding, and
make connections across their reading
read in depth, critically and analytically, so that they are able to discuss and explain their
understanding and ideas
become habitual readers, reading widely and often
develop further the skills of inference, analysis and evaluation
write accurately, effectively and analytically about their reading
acquire and use a wide vocabulary, including grammatical terminology, and other literary
and linguistic terms they need to criticise and analyse what they read
read and explore critical studies and exemplar written responses of the highest quality to
support their analyses
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appreciate the depth and power of the English literary heritage and independently read
texts by authors not studied during the course.
Texts
Students at INA will study Romeo and Juliet, Animal Farm, Frankenstein and the Time and Place
Poetry Anthology. Students will study 15 poems from the anthology and also learn how to approach
unseen poems in the exam. In the first instance, the anthology poems will be taught as unseen so
that students learn the analytical skills required.
Assessment
There will be planned, regular, short exam practice assessments of Section A or B (likely to be
fortnightly), with a mixture of whole class and peer assessments. A formal assessment involving
both Sections A and B together will take place at the end of each half term. Teachers will ensure
that students fully understand the assessment objectives and level descriptors.
GCSE English Language and English Literature Specifications
Units
Assessment/Questions
Text
Marks
Duration
Romeo and Juliet
40
(25%)
1hr 45mins
(closed
book)
Animal Farm George
Orwell
40
(25%)
Frankenstein Mary
Shelley
40
(25%)
GCSE English Literature
Component 1:
Shakespeare
and Post-1914
Literature
Section A – Shakespeare
A two-part question, with the
first task focused on an extract
of approximately 30 lines. The
second task is focused on how
a theme reflected in the extract
is explored elsewhere in the
play.
Section B – Post-1914 British
play or novel
ONE essay question.
Component 2:
19th-century
Novel and
Poetry since
1789
Section A – 19th-century novel
Students answer ONE extract
question and ONE essay
question on the text.
2hrs
15mins
(closed
book)
Section B – Poetry
Part 1: ONE question on a
named poem from the Pearson
Poetry Anthology. The named
poem will be shown in the
question paper.
Part 2: ONE question
comparing two unseen
contemporary poems.
One collection from the
Pearson Poetry
Anthology Collections
‘Time and Place’ (Keats,
Wordsworth, Thomas
Hardy, Rossetti, Owen,
Tennyson and a
selection of modern
poems).
40
(25%)
A mixture of short and
extended response
questions on the
extract.
15
(15%)
Writing tasks, linked by
a theme to the reading
extract.
25
(25%)
Two unseen non-fiction
extracts, from 20th-and
21st-century texts. One
of these texts will be
literary non-fiction.
35
(35%)
GCSE English Language
Component 1:
Fiction and
Imaginative
Writing
Section A – Reading
Questions on an unseen 19thcentury fiction extract.
Section B – Writing
A choice of two writing tasks.
Component 2:
Non-fiction and
Transactional
Writing
Section A – Reading
Questions on two thematically
linked, unseen non-fiction
extracts.
A mixture of short and
extended response
questions, including a
comparison of the two
texts.
Section B – Writing
A choice of two writing tasks.
Students will study a range of
Writing tasks are linked
by a theme to the
reading extracts.
25
(25%)
1hr 45mins
2hrs
non-fiction forms, such as
journalism, speeches, journals
and reference book extracts.
Students will study a range of
literary non-fiction, such as
selections from autobiography
and travel writing.
Nonexamination
Assessment:
Spoken
Language
(Optional)
The preparation and
assessment of spoken language
is a compulsory requirement of
the course of study. It will
appear on all students’
certificates as a separately
reported grade, alongside the
overall grade issued.
Demonstrate
presentation skills in a
formal setting
Listen and respond
appropriately to spoken
language, including to
questions and feedback
to presentation.
Use spoken Standard
English effectively in
speeches and
presentations.
0 (0%)
Assessed
throughout
course