Dear Parents/Guardians, 6th June 2022
Year 9 have now commenced their GCSE course in English Literature and will complete the whole of the GCSE English Literature course during the next academic year, gaining the full 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 on a provisional basis in order to ensure pupils are in the correct groups for this new course. There will be some readjustments following Baseline testing at the beginning of July, ready for any changes to take effect in September. 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 by teaching staff in the latter part of the Autumn Term, based on their baseline tests, class and homework and forthcoming written coursework (NEA) marks.
There are a couple of important events in the year for which we would like your particular support. Precise dates will be given once timetables for next year are finalised:
1) NEA – Non Examined Assessments (Written Coursework)
Early-mid October 2022 – English Literature GCSE Written Coursework (NEA): Macbeth: Session 1
Mid October – October Half Term 2022 – English Literature GCSE Written Coursework (NEA): Macbeth: Session 2
Late January 2023 – English Literature GCSE Written Coursework (NEA): Poetry Comparison: Session 1
Early February 2023– English Literature GCSE Written Coursework (NEA): Poetry Comparison: Session 2
Pupils will be prepared for these tasks in class and as homework but they need to be completed under exam conditions, during English lessons. Each session lasts 1 hour, and will be preceded by a 30 minute revision session immediately before the Session.
These will contribute towards the final GCSE English Literature grade and are worth 25% combined. It is essential, therefore, that your child prepares thoroughly for these tasks and attends promptly.
2) GCSE Unit Exams
GCSE English Literature Unit 1 exam: January 2023 – date tbc by WJEC
This is a real GCSE exam and cannot be done at any other time, due to illness/holidays etc.
Most pupils will resit this exam in May 2023 in order to maximise marks and therefore grades. Tiering may change as a result of the official results in March 2023.
GCSE English Literature Unit 2 Exam: May 2023 – date tbc by WJEC
This is a real GCSE exam and cannot be done at any other time, due to illness/holidays etc.
The pupils’ performances in both Unit 1 and the NEAs will be used to reorganise sets for March 2023 and provide us with valuable information about what we need to focus on with students in the latter part of Year 10.
I would like to close by asking you to encourage your child to attend all lessons promptly and do their very best in all classwork, homework, NEA tasks and mock exams (PPEs).
Thank you in anticipation of your support this year,
Mrs L. M. Taylor
Raising Standards Leader: English & Literacy
