Grade Descriptors



Examples

English-2-Small

TERM 1

Content

LITERATURE – HT1 & HT2

Paper 1, Section A: 19th Century Novel

Texts: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde and A Christmas Carol.

Students will study a 19th Century text for English Literature. Extracts from this text will be used alongside a range of sources for introduction to Language Paper 1.

LANGUAGE – HT1

Paper 1, Section A: Explorations in creative reading

Texts will be explored using AO and framework of Paper 1. For example:

  • List four things
  • How does the writer use language?
  • How has the writer structured the text
  • Issues/Debates

LANGUAGE – HT2

Paper 1, Section B: Explorations in creative writing

In the exam, a stimulus will be used for students’ to create their own narrative/descriptive writing. There will be a choice of scenario, written prompt or visual image that is related to the topic of the reading text in section A. The scenario sets out a context for writing with a designated audience, purpose and form that will differ to those specified on Paper 2.

 

Skills

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.

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.

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

  • Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

NB: Alongside subject specific skills & objectives, the course serves to promote, develop and focus on many additional skills including social development, core literacy, cultural awareness, speaking and listening, numeracy, presentation, reflection, rhetoric – all of which are embedded through KS3 and KS4 MTPs.

 

TERM 2

Content

LITERATURE – HT3 & HT4

Paper 2, Section A: Modern Texts

Texts: An Inspector Calls

Students will study a modern text for English Literature. This text will be used thematically alongside source for introduction to Language Paper 2.

LANGUAGE – HT3

Paper 2, Section A: Writers’ viewpoints

Texts will be explored using framework of Paper 2 and wider themes. The study will use paratextual forms surrounding general themes and ideas of Literature text (e.g. conflict or suffering) where appropriate including C19th, C20th and C21st non-fiction and literary non-fiction.The combination selected will always provide students with an opportunity to consider viewpoints and perspectives over time.

Paper 2, Section B: Writers’ viewpoints

In the exam, there will be a single writing choice related to the theme. It will specify audience, purpose and form, and will use a range of opinions, statements and writing scenarios to provoke a response. Students will develop their argument writing style. There will also be a strong focus on clarity and accuracy of written communication (applicable across all sections of both subjects for the new GCSE).

 

Skills

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.

Language (with the new additional of AO3 & 4)

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

  • Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

NB: Alongside subject specific skills & objectives, the course serves to promote, develop and focus on many additional skills including social development, core literacy, cultural awareness, speaking and listening, numeracy, presentation, reflection, rhetoric – all of which are embedded through KS3 and KS4 MTPs.

 

TERM 3

Content

LITERATURE – HT5 & HT6

Paper 1, Section A: Shakespeare

Texts: Macbeth

Students will study a Shakespeare text for English Literature. This text will be used alongside separate sections and skills in Language (Paper 1).

LANGUAGE – HT5 & HT6

Paper 1, Section A: Explorations in creative reading

Texts will be explored using AO and framework of Paper 1. In the exam, extracts will be taken from novels and short stories and focus on openings, endings, narrative perspectives and points of view, narrative or descriptive passages, character, atmospheric descriptions and other appropriate narrative and descriptive approaches. Engaging students in a range of styles and forms will be central to their work in HT5.

LANGUAGE – HT5 & HT6

Paper 1, Section A: Explorations in creative writing

Students will return to creative writing and develop writing styles, in addition to any other extracts/thematic connections to the Literature text appropriate. There will also be a strong focus on clarity and accuracy of written communication (applicable across all sections of both subjects for the new GCSE).

Spoken Language (New AO skills added)

Students will base their presentations on a theme or topic chosen by their teacher (guidance from AQA). Presentations will be on a formal basis and students will need to respond to questions and feedback from the audience. In the assessed piece, students will be required to use spoken Standard English as appropriate.

 

Skills

As above in Term 1 & Term 2, integration of all core skills, with added focus on Spoken Language.

AO7

 

  • Present in a formal setting.

AO8

  • Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language.

AO9

 

  • Use spoken standard English appropriately.

NB: Alongside subject specific skills & objectives, the course serves to promote, develop and focus on many additional skills including social development, core literacy, cultural awareness, speaking and listening, numeracy, presentation, reflection, rhetoric – all of which are embedded through KS3 and KS4 MTPs.