English and English Literature GCSE Courses
Candidates will be studying two courses and will achieve two GCSEs.

The course comprises of the study of six texts over two years. Three will be published before 1914 and three after. (See below). These will form the core of the students’ learning and enable them to develop all of the essential skills for English study. Coursework assignments will be written on three of the texts: Shakespeare, Pre 1914 Prose and Modern Poetry with the three remaining texts being studied for the literature examination.
English Literature Requirements: the study of six texts
Three published before 1914
- Drama (Shakespeare)
- Poetry (Best Words)
- Prose (Short stories or novel)
Three published after 1914
- Drama (An Inspector Calls)
- Poetry (Modern poets)
- Prose (Of Mice and Men)
Method of Assessment
Coursework requirements English - 4 essays 20%
- Personal Writing – explore, imagine, entertain
- Personal Writing – inform, explain, describe
- Shakespeare
- Prose Text
Coursework requirements Literature - 3 essays 30%
- Shakespeare
- Prose: either pre or post 1914
- Poetry: either pre or post 1914
Speaking and Listening Coursework requirements - English: 3 assignments 20%
One assignment for each of the following categories:
- Extended Individual Contribution
- Group Discussion
- Drama-focused Activity
Exam Requirement English: 60%
- Paper 1: 1 hour 40 minutes
Pre-release booklet: questions on media and non-fiction texts.
Written response to: argue, persuade, advise - Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pre-release booklet: one question on pre-release and unseen poetry from other cultures.
Written response to: analyse, review, comment.
Exam requirements Literature: 70%
One paper: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Answering questions on three prescribed texts previously studied in class.
- Drama: An Inspector Calls
- Prose: Of Mice and Men
- Poetry: Best Words
- Best Words Examination Poetry:
- To Autumn – Keats
- First Love – Clare
- My Last Duchess – Browning
- To His Coy Mistress – Marvell
- Shall I compare thee? – Shakespeare
- Ballad – Anon
- To a Mouse - Burns
- The Flea – Donne
- Let me not – Shakespeare
- Amen – Rossetti
- Porphyria’s Lover – Browning
- La Belle Dame Sans Merci – Keats
Future Opportunities
Many students do go on to study English or English Literature at A level because of the enthusiasm they have developed for the subject at GCSE. However, the skills they learn, including: communication, analytical thinking, teamwork and discussion can all be transferred to many other subjects.
Further Information
At the end of the course students will gain two separate GCSE qualifications: one in English and one in English Literature.