English is the study of how language is used to communicate effectively in the modern world. It enables the individual to develop understanding and confidence in the essential skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening for different purposes and audiences.
At Knutsford Academy, English is also rooted in the enjoyment and interpretation of diverse literature from this country and across the world. It is about seeing things from other points of view, questioning and analysing different perspectives and learning how contexts both shape and are shaped by texts. Students are challenged to write creatively, accurately and meaningfully for a variety of purposes and audiences Most powerfully, English nurtures individual voice and thought through a thematic curriculum.
We study the AQA specification for English Language.
There are two equally balanced papers, relating reading sources to the topic and theme of writing tasks. The reading sources act as stimulus for writing tasks, providing students with a clear route through each paper.
The specification looks at how writers (including students) use narrative and descriptive techniques to engage the interest of readers. Furthermore, we study how writers present a similar topic over time working with texts from the 19th Century to the 21st.
The spoken language accreditation allows pupils to engage in delivering their viewpoints and ideas on key topics and results in a speech style assessment within the course.
Assessment
This qualification is assessed via external exams at the end of Year 11 and a spoken language accreditation at the end of year 10.
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Paper 1 - Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing: One fiction text to explore and analyse in Section A and a creative writing piece to complete from a choice of two in Section B.
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Paper 2 - Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives:
Two non-fiction texts to explore, compare and analyse in Section A and one persuasive writing piece to create in Section B.
Enrichment
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Revision Workshops
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Debate competitions
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Public speaking competitions and opportunities
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Theatre trips
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Theatre workshop visits
Careers
English is viewed by a wide range of employers as an essential skill and is of particular use in careers such as:
- Marketing and communications
- Journalism
- Publishing and copywriting
- Education and teaching
- Human Resources
- Management
- Sales and Retail
- Research and Development
- Politics
- Project Management
English is the study of how language is used to communicate effectively in the modern world. It enables the individual to develop understanding and confidence in the essential skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening for different purposes and audiences.
At Knutsford Academy, English is also rooted in the enjoyment and interpretation of diverse literature from this country and across the world. It is about seeing things from other points of view, questioning and analysing different perspectives and learning how contexts both shape and are shaped by texts. Students are challenged to write creatively, accurately and meaningfully for a variety of purposes and audiences Most powerfully, English nurtures individual voice and thought through a thematic curriculum.
We study the Edexcel specification for English Literature.
Throughout the two-year course pupils will study a Shakespeare play, [Macbeth] a post-1914 British play or novel, [An Inspector Calls] a 19th-century novel [Jekyll and Hyde] and a poetry collection from the Pearson Poetry Anthology.
Pupils will develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects; maintain a critical style and informed personal response and develop comparison skills.
Assessment
The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in English Literature is a linear course. It consists of two externally examined components.
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Paper 1 -
Section A – Macbeth: 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 – An Inspector Calls: ONE essay question
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Paper 2 -
Section A – Jekyll and Hyde: a two-part question, with the first part focused on an extract of approximately 400 words. The second part is an essay question exploring the whole text. Section B – Part 1: ONE question comparing a named poem from the Pearson Poetry Anthology collection to another poem from that collection. The named poem will be shown in the question paper.
Part 2: ONE question comparing two unseen contemporary poems
Enrichment
-
Revision Workshops
-
Debate competitions
-
Public speaking competitions and opportunities
-
Theatre trips
-
Theatre workshop visits
Careers
English Literature is viewed by a wide range of employers as an essential skill and is of particular use in careers such as:
- Marketing and communications
- Journalism
- Publishing and copywriting
- Education and teaching
- Human Resources
- Management
- Sales and Retail
- Research and Development
- Politics
- Project Management