English Literature Year 10 Introduction Letter Sept. 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians, 22nd Sept 2023

Year 10 have now commenced their GCSE course in English Literature and will complete the whole of the GCSE English Literature course during this academic year, gaining a qualification at the end of Yr 10. I would like to ask you for your support of both us as a Learning Area and your child during this important year.

English sets have been reorganised in order to ensure pupils are in the correct groups for this new course. There will be some readjustments following the first NEA in November.. Groups will be monitored closely throughout the year to make sure pupils are in the right place for their ability/current working grade/target grade.

There are two tiers in English Literature GCSE, both of which allow pupils to gain a C grade:

Higher Tier: A* – D

Foundation Tier: C- G

Decisions on which tier your child sits will be made later this term, based on their baseline tests, class and homework and forthcoming written coursework [NEA] marks.

There are some important dates in the next year for which we would like your particular support:

  1.  NEA [written coursework]
  • Mon 6th November 2023 P3 & 4 – Macbeth NEA Session 1: 1 hour
  • Thurs 9th November 2023 P 1 & 2 – Macbeth NEA Session 2: 1 hour
  • Mon 29th  January 2024  P3 & 4 – Comparative Poetry NEA Session 1: 1 hour
  • Thurs 1st  February 2024 P1 & 2 – Comparative Poetry NEA Session 2: 1 hour

Pupils will be prepared for these tasks in class and as homework but they need to be completed under exam conditions during timetabled English lessons. Each session lasts 1 hour and will be preceded in the double lesson by some revision time/activities.

These will contribute towards the final GCSE English Literature grade and are worth 25%. It is essential, therefore, that your child prepares thoroughly for these tasks and attends promptly.

2)       Examinations

  • GCSE English Literature Unit 1 Exam [Of Mice & Men/ Unseen Poetry Comparison]: Wednesday 10th January 2024


This is a real GCSE exam and cannot be done at any other time, due to illness/holidays etc. 

All pupils will resit this exam in May 2024 in order to maximise marks and therefore grades. Tiering may change as a result of the official results in March 2024.

  • GCSE English Literature Unit 1 Exam Resit [Of Mice & Men & Unseen Poetry Comparison]:        Monday 13th May 2024
  • GCSE English Literature Unit 2 Exam [An Inspector Calls & Heroes]:                           Monday 20th May 2024

The pupils’ performances in both Unit 1 in January 2024 and the NEAs will be used to provide us with valuable information about what we need to focus on with students in the latter part of Year 10 and may result in pupils changing their tier of entry to maximise their final grade. 

I would like to close by asking you to encourage your child to do their very best in all classwork, homework, NEA tasks and mock exams – PPEs, in order that child fulfils their potential with us.

Thank you in anticipation of your support this year,

Mrs L. M. Taylor

Raising Standards Leader: English & Literacy

LTaylor@cathays.cardiff.sch.uk

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