COURSE DESCRIPTION - GCSE ENGLISH

Course Specification

This specification is for a full GCSE in English, AQA/A code 3702. The course is offered at Foundation Tier which makes available grades C to G and Higher Tier which makes available grades A* to D.

Course Overview & Content

The course seeks to develop the necessary skills for effective reading, writing, speaking and listening. Throughout the course, students are given the opportunity to read a variety of material and produce a range of writing for different purposes. Students are encouraged to engage in assessed speaking and listening activities for which it is essential that a microphone is provided.
The full specification is available from the AQA website:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-3702-W-SP-09.PDF
Coursework Requirements

Students must produce four pieces of written coursework that contributes 20% of the final assessment marks in total. Three spoken pieces must also be produced contributing a further 20% of the final assessment marks. A penalty is applied by AQA for each piece that is incomplete so complete folders of work are essential.
The four written coursework activities are:
Original Writing                                                     5%
Media                                                                   5%
Shakespeare Study, ‘Romeo and Juliet’                   5%
Prose Study, ‘Of Mice and Men’                               5%
The three speaking and listening activities are integrated into the course, with students being assessed during live lessons and with record sheets completed by Accipio Learning. Students are assessed in the following:

• An extended personal contribution;
• A drama-focused activity;
• Group interaction.

Examination Procedures

Students must sit two separate exam papers, contributing 30% each:

Paper 1

Section A:              Testing understanding of Media and Non-Fiction texts.
Section B:              Testing writing which seeks to argue, persuade and advise

Paper 2

Section A:              Testing understanding of Poetry from Different Cultures (AQA/A Anthology)*
* This is provided by the examination board – a downloadable version is available from the Accipio website.
Section B:              Testing writing which seeks to inform, explain and describe.