Key Stage 4

This course prepares students for two GCSEs and follows the requirements of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 4. It includes:

  • A study of a range of 20th Century and pre-20th Century literature: poetry, plays, novels, short stories and non-fiction from diverse cultures.
  • The development of an understanding of how writers use language, structure and form to create meaning, share their ideas and affect their readers.
  • A study of spoken language – examining public talk and students’ own idiolect.
  • The development of speaking and listening skills.
  • The development of effective and accurate writing skills.
  • The development of effective reading strategies

Assessment: Language

Controlled Assessment (50%)

  • A study of political talk
  • A study of idiolect
  • An analytical response to a modern prose text – ‘Of Mice and Men’
  • Original Writing through a re-creative response
  • Creative Writing

Speaking and listening coursework (10%)

  • an extended individual presentation
  • a group discussion
  • a final drama based piece

Final Examination (40%)

  • Reading non-fiction and media texts
  • Writing to argue/persuade
  • Writing to inform/explain

Assessment: Literature

Controlled Assessment (40%)

  • An analytical response that asks students to compare a Shakespeare play with another literary text- “Romeo and Juliet” and “St. Botolph’s”.

Final Examination (60%) (including two papers)

  • “Of Mice and Men”
  • “Kindertransport”
  • Poetry Across Time and Unseen Poetry