English – Key Stage 4 GCSE
All texts in the examination will be unseen.
Paper 1: Explorations in creative writing and reading
Section A: Reading – one literature fiction text
Section B: Writing – descriptive or narrative writing
Assessed
written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes; 80 marks (50% of GCSE)
Questions
Reading (40 marks) (25%)– one single text
- 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)
1 extended question (1 x 20 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%)
- 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
Section A: Reading – one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text
Section B: Writing – writing to present a viewpoint
Assessed
written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes; 80 marks (50% of GCSE)
Reading (40 marks) (25%) – two linked texts
- 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)
- 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)
- 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)
Writing (40 marks) (25%)
- 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
Non examination assessment: Spoken English
What’s assessed (AO7–AO9)
- presenting
- responding to questions and feedback
- use of Standard English
Assessed
- teacher set throughout course
- marked by teacher
- separate endorsement (0% weighting of GCSE)