KS4 Overview
All students study for 2 GCSE qualifications in English. Students prepare for Eduqas GCSE English Language and Eduqas GCSE English Literature which are assessed by 100% examination at the end of year 11. An outline of the assessment objectives is included here and there are links to the Eduqas specifications at the bottom of the page.
English Language : Reading Objectives (50%)
Read and understand a range of texts to:
AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise evidence from different texts
AO2: Explain, comment and analyse how writer’s 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 show how these are conveyed, across two or more texts
AO4: Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual reference
English Language: Writing Objectives (50%)
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).
Examinations – English Language
GCSE English Language Component 1:
This is a 1 hour and 45 minute exam, worth 40% of the students’ overall English Language GCSE.
Section A Reading: 1 hour (20% – 40 marks)
Students will be given one unseen 20th Century Literary Prose text. They will be given a series of structured questions, which will test AO1, AO2 and AO4 (see above for Assessment Objective descriptors).
Section B Writing: 45 minutes (20% – 40 marks)
Students will be given a choice of 4 titles, testing AO5 (24 marks) and AO6 (16 marks). Prose writing involves students writing a Narrative (or story) using some description.
GCSE English Language Component 2:
This is a 2 hour exam, worth 60% of the students’ overall grade.
Section A Reading: 1 hour (30% – 40 marks)
Students will be given two unseen non-fiction texts. One will be a 19th Century text and one will be a 21st Century text. They will be given a series of structured questions, which will test AO1 (and 2), AO2, AO3 and AO4 (see above for Assessment Objective descriptors).
Section B Writing: 1 hour (30% – 40 marks)
Students will be given two compulsory tasks. They are expected to spend 30 minutes on each (15% per task). Students will be asked to create transactional, persuasive and/or discursive writing relating to real-life contexts in, for example, letters, articles, reviews, speeches etc.
Students will be assessed on AO5 (12 marks) and AO6 (8 marks) in each task. Please see above for Assessment Objective descriptors.
Spoken Language Endorsement for GCSE English Language
Students will be assessed on their ability to speak fluently and accurately using Standard English and a wide vocabulary. This section of the GCSE qualification involves students preparing and giving an oral presentation on a choice of topics. Performance on speaking and listening will be graded Pass / Merit / Distinction. For more information, see the specification outlines via the links below.
Eduqas GCSE English Literature This will be assessed by closed book examinations at the end of year 11. Students should revise and learn a range of quotations from each text and use these to support their answers in the examinations.
GCSE English Literature Component 1: Shakespeare and Poetry
Written Examination: 2 hours, 40% of qualification.
Section A Shakespeare (20%)
Students will study the play Romeo and Juliet. They will be given one extract and one essay based question on the reading of Romeo and Juliet. Students may be asked to write about plot, characters and themes as well as relating the play to its social and historical context.
Section B Poetry from 1789 to the present day (20%)
The students will be given two questions based on poems from the WJEC Poetry Anthology, one of which involves comparison. There is a requirement to address context in question (a) and (b) and this will be made explicit on the paper.
GCSE English Literature Component 2: Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes, 60% of qualification.
Section A Post-1914 Prose
Students will study An Inspector Calls. They will then answer one source based question on this post-1914 text.
Section B 19th Century Prose (20%)
Students will study A Christmas Carol. They will answer one source based question on this 19th Century prose text.
Section C Unseen Poetry (20%)
Students will be given two questions on unseen poems, one which involves a comparison.
eduqas_eng_lang_spec.pdf |
eduqas_eng_lit_spec.pdf |