Vision Statement

KS4 English at Walsall Academy guides students through the Edexcel English Language and Eduqas English Literature GCSE courses. Lessons draw on skills and knowledge gained in KS3 as they take in a range of texts. Students study a Shakespeare play, usually Othello or Macbeth; a pre-19th Century novel such as A Christmas Carol or Jekyll and Hyde, an anthology of poetry; and a modern novel or play like Blood Brothers, An Inspector Calls or Oranges are not the Only Fruit. Students also test their writing, reading and verbal communication skills in a range of disciplines like story writing, textual analysis and class presentations. At the end of the course, students gain two separate GCSE qualifications which are integral to future academic or vocational progression.

Specification being followed: Edexcel GCSE English Language and Eduqas GCSE English Literature

English Language
English Literature

English Language

Introduction video

Component One Reading

This unit follows the structure of the Component 1 Section A exam with the intention of preparing students for each style of question they may get asked and develops comprehension skills of an unseen 19^th Century fiction text. Key skills include extracting key information, writing about language and structure and evaluating critically.

Component One Writing

Students will learn how to employ creative writing techniques in order to produce an effective piece of narrative writing. Students will learn how to structure an effective story, how to build character and setting and develop their vocabulary and use of imagery. Spelling, punctuation and grammar will also be developed, and students will use this both accurately and for effect.

Component Two Reading

This unit follows the structure of the Component 2 Section A exam with the intention of preparing students for each style of question they may get asked and develop comprehension skills of unseen non-fiction texts from the 20^th/21^st Century. Key skills include extracting key information, writing about language and structure and evaluating critically.

Component Two Writing

In this module students will know how to organise information and ideas and use structural and grammatical features to support the coherence and cohesion of their writing. They will learn how to adapt, tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences (eg. letters, reviews, articles, speeches, reports). Students will be able to use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect and will use punctuation and spell accurately.

Spoken Language

In this module students will know how to organise information and ideas and create an effective speech which they will present in front of their peers. Students will understand the importance of spoken Standard English and use this effectively in their speeches and presentations. Students will also listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including to questions and feedback to presentations and they will demonstrate their presentation skills in a formal setting.

English Literature

Introduction video

Shakespeare

Students will know how to use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations of Othello/Macbeth. They will develop an informed personal response supported by an analysis of language, form and structure. They will discover how Shakespeare created meanings and effects and will support their ideas using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.

Students will have a knowledge of dramatic techniques in Macbeth/Othello and will be able to demonstrate their understanding of plot, characterisation, events and key themes in Othello/Macbeth. In addition to this, students will learn key quotes from the play. The use of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, alongside accurate spelling and punctuation will also be revised.

Eduqas Poetry – Anthology

Students will explore a range of 19 poems from the Eduqas poetry anthology. They will consider the historical, social and political contexts surrounding each poem alongside a focus on exploring language, form and structure on each. Students will also consider how these poems are linked in order to make comparisons between them.

19th Century Prose

Students will study a classic novel written in the 19^th Century. Students will learn the novel’s context and develop their understanding of the language, structure and form of the text. They will also learn key themes and develop their understanding of characters and ideas within the text. Essential essay writing skills will continue to be taught and honed.

Post 20th Century Literature Drama/Prose

Students will study a play/novel written in the 20^th Century. They will understand plot, characters and some essential context of the play/novel. Students will understand the writer’s ideas and how they are evinced in the text and will learn a range of key quotes to support their ideas and explanations. Students will also be taught writing skills essential to essay writing.

Unseen Poetry

Students will study a range of unseen poetry in preparation for this section of the exam where they will be asked to write about a previously unseen poem. In the second question, learners will be asked to write about a second previously unseen poem and compare it to the first. Learners will be expected to consider the content and key ideas of each poem, and the poets’ use of language, structure and form.