English

English is one of the core subjects in the curriculum. The three main components for the study of English are:

* TALKING AND LISTENING
* READING
* WRITING

The scheme of assessment incorporates coursework and a terminal examination. This is how coursework and the examination element are weighted in the three components:

* TALKING AND LISTENING - 20% (COURSEWORK)
* READING - 10% (COURSEWORK) + 30% (EXAMINATION)
* WRITING - 10% (COURSEWORK) + 30% (EXAMINATION)

There are two examination papers. Each one assesses Reading and Writing. There are two tiers of entry for the examination.

* Foundation Tier Grades C-G
* Higher Tier Grades A*-D(E)

Career Implications

English is essential in every walk of life. Entry to University requires a reasonable grade in GCSE English. All employers demand a good qualification in English. A good knowledge of this subject has much wider implications as it develops communication skills, reading with understanding and writing correctly and with conviction.

English Literature

This subject encourages students to respond to a range of types of literary text, to appreciate the ways in which authors achieve their effects and to develop the skills necessary for literary study. The study of English Literature is extremely beneficial to the study of English as a major part of this subject is Reading. The work done for English Literature will be vital for the effective study of English. In order to meet the above requirements prescribed texts and coursework texts are set by the Examination Board so as to provide an appropriate range of literature covering prose, poetry and drama before and after 1900.

The scheme of assessment incorporates coursework and a terminal examination. The examination paper has a 70% weighting and coursework has a 30% weighting. There are two tiers of entry for the examination.
* Foundation Tier Grades C-G
* Higher Tier Grades A* - D(E)

Career Implications
It is necessary to study English Literature at Key Stage 4 in order to pursue the subject at a higher level. A study of English Literature opens up a wide range of opportunities to everyone. It opens the gates to journalism, television, advertising, the law, education, industry, social work, in fact the list is endless. Perhaps this proves that because Literature is about life, it leads us into life.

Drama (AQA)

GCSE Drama makes a distinctive contribution to national provision of qualifications in offering pupils the opportunities to develop their practical skills in drama and to enhance their appreciation and understanding of theatre.

A GCSE course in Drama encourages students to develop:
· An understanding and response to a wide range of play texts.
· An appreciation of the ways in which playwrights achieve their dramatic effects.
· The ability to communicate the authors’ intentions to an audience.
· An awareness of social, historical and cultural contexts and influences through an investigation of plays and other styles of dramatic presentations.
· Increased self and group awareness and the ability to appreciate and evaluate the work of others.
· Skills of creativity, self-confidence, concentration, self-discipline and communication.
· Develop skills that they have acquired in Drama at Key Stage 3.

Throughout the course, opportunities will be provided for progression so that pupils can demonstrate increasing complexity, control, depth and independence in performance work in class.

While individual performance is properly encouraged it should be noted that all pupils must work within a group (each pupil is individually assessed within the group). Full attendance is expected from all drama students in order to facilitate effective group work. Pupils must be able to contribute to and be involved with a group through out their sensitivity, generosity, commitment, concentration and ability.

It is hoped that pupils will experience a sense of achievement, a self-confidence, an emotional challenge and an intellectual satisfaction from the course. The GCSE specification lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Drama and Theatre Studies at GCE Advanced Level.

The Scheme of Assessment at GCSE comprises two components:
Coursework 60%
Written Exam 40%

The course work is internally assessed and externally moderated by AQA. Marks will be awarded for the commitment shown in both preparation and presentation. The practical coursework component will be externally moderated in March/April of the final year of study.

Coursework Elements

1. Scripted performance (acting)
2. Devised thematic work for performance to an audience

Each element for coursework will be assessed in three parts:

1. Response to plays and other types of drama (10 marks)

The response must demonstrate clear evidence of research into writers from different cultures e.g. Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Athol Fugard. The response must include a written portfolio and may also include verbal presentation, audio or video recording. Each pupil must outline his/her own contribution to the preparation and performance of their work.

2. Work in Progress (20 marks)
This will be assessed during the period from initial discussion of ideas/selection of material, though to, and including the final presentation. Assessment will take place by monitoring through observation and involvement by the teacher at the preparatory stages. This will include ongoing discussions with the pupils. Pupils will be expected to keep a notebook where they will analyse the task, define the problems, research possible solutions and map out some outcomes. The notes should contain the embryo of the final idea. Notes need not be re-written but should be eligible and intelligible to the assessing teacher and external moderator. Pupils must demonstrate an ability to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of their own and others’ work.

3. Final Presentation (30 marks)
This element of the coursework is assessed through the presentation of the final scripted/devised piece.

Throughout the two year course, pupils will, in addition, be given opportunities to develop technical/design skills i.e. lighting, set design, and construction, sound, costume and stage management.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION 2 HOURS (80 marks)
The written paper is set and marked by AQA. This is an open book examination but set texts cannot be annotated.

Pupils will be expected to:
· produce extended essay answers
· present relevant information in a form that suits different purposes.
· ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate, so that meaning is clear.

Pupils are required to answer two questions, to be chosen from one or both of the following sections:

SECTION A Set Plays
Pupils must study at least two set plays from a performance perspective. In examination answers, pupils should be aware of the potential effectiveness of their chosen play for an audience. Pupils must be capable of analysing both the performance and design potential of each set text. They should also be aware of the social context and genre of each play.

There will be a choice of six set. One question is set on each play.

SECTION B Response to live theatre
Pupils are required to review a production of live professional theatre that they have seen during the course. (It is expected that all GCSE students of Drama will see at least six live theatre productions during the two year course i.e. one production per term.)

Pupils are required to have studied each play text before or after seeing the production and to be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the text.

Pupils should be able to demonstrate:
· a clear understanding of the play and the production seen.
· informed criticism of the acting performances and the skills involved.
· informed criticism of the technical and design elements and the skills involved.
· their response to the effectiveness of the production as a whole.

There is a choice of four questions in the written paper. Pupils must not use a production of a set play in answer to questions in this section.

Career Implications
Drama and Theatre Arts should equip pupils for the employment market especially occupations which are ‘performance’ based or which involve communication skills i.e. Marketing, Television/Radio, Education, Advertising. Specialist employment can be gained in the Theatre and would include Acting and the technical skills of Set Design, Production/Direction, Lighting/Sound, Make-up, Costume and Stage Management.