GCSE English Literature is an additional qualification in English that runs in conjunction with the English Language GCSE. All students will sit this examination. Students start this module at the end of Year 9 running through until their final examinations. They will focus on analysing a range of texts including poetry, prose and drama. This is intended to follow on from and develop skills used in Key Stage 3, with a focus on Reading – analysis, evaluation and personal response. All students will study a range of texts from the different forms and from different time periods, including a piece by Shakespeare, prose from the 19th Century, a ‘modern’ (Post-1914) text and a range of poetry (both anthology and unseen).

• Section A: Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of school’s choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.
• Section B: The 19th Century novel: students will answer one question on the school’s novel of choice. Students will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

• Section A: Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
• Section B: Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster.
• Section C: Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Students are assessed through two examinations for English Literature at the end of Year 11.

• Paper 1: Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes. Worth 64 marks and 40% of GCSE.
• Paper 2: Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes. Worth 96 marks and 60% of GCSE.

There are various Sixth Forms and Colleges around the local area where you can study A-level and BTEC qualifications. To give you an indication of the grades you may require, if you achieve grade 9-6 in GCSE English Literature you could study A-level English Language or A-level English Literature at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.