English - Thistley Hough Academy

Students at Thistley Hough Academy study both English Language and Literature in following the WJEC/Eduqas GCSE specifications.

The study of English Language prepares students to write analytically and in detail; develop critical reading skills and the skill of structuring a cohesive argument; become perceptive and sensitive communicators who are able to read and write with a high degree of technical accuracy

English Literature develops students’ knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking. It provides students with opportunities to read a range of texts in the genres of prose, poetry and drama. Students are assessed on their ability to analyse and compare literary texts, explore ambiguity and read a range of different forms and genres by British writers.

Teaching and Learning

In order to develop skills needed for GCSE, students are assessed according to GCSE criteria from year 7. We study a variety of texts, aimed at developing skills needed in Literature and Language for GCSE across all year groups; as such, the curriculum has been rewritten in order to feed into the new GCSE specifications in their style, assessment methods and contents.

Reading is an important part of the school life at Thistley Hough Academy. Years 7-9 have one reading lesson a week in our library where they follow a computer-based learning programme called Accelerated Reading; this encourages students to develop their ability to read and understand what they are reading. (Further information regarding Accelerated Reader can be found on the separate Accelerated Reader tab under the heading Curriculum.)

As a department, we also believe in the importance of the skills of oracy to prepare students for their future lives in work. Students in years 7-9 are entered for oracy examinations with the English Speaking Board. This qualification teaches the students skills in public speaking and presentations.

Exam Structure/ Texts Studied

English Language examinations:

Component 1:

20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing- 1hr 45mins

Section A (20%) Understanding one prose extract of literature from the 20th century

Section B (20%) Prose writing: one creative task from four titles

Component 2:

19th and 21st Century Non-fiction Reading and Transactional/Persuasive Writing- 2hrs

Section A (30%) Understanding and comparing two non-fiction extracts (19th and 21st century)

Section B (30%) Two transactional/persuasive writing tasks

Component 3:

Spoken Language (unweighted) One presentation/speech

English Literature examinations:

Component 1:

Shakespeare and Poetry- 2hrs

Section A (20%) Closed book examination of the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Section B (20%) Closed book examination of the WJEC/Eduqas Poetry Anthology, including poems from Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin and Wilfred Owen.

Component 2:

Post -1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry- 2hrs 30mins

Section A (20%) Closed book examination of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Section B (20%) Closed book examination of either An Inspector Calls by J.B.Priestley or Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Section C (20%) Unseen poetry – Two questions on unseen poems, one of which involves comparison.

The following themes are studied during Year 7-9. We do encourage students to read on a regular basis. Pre-topic reading will also ensure that your child achieves success in English.

Year Group

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Year 7

Conflict:

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Warhorse

Love:

Romeo and Juliet

Gothic Horror:

Tell Tale Heart