We are producing a series of articles to help parents to support their children facing GCSEs this Summer.
There are 2 GCSE English Literature (WJEC) papers and both take place before the May half-term break:
Monday 13 May – English Literature 1 – this includes William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and the ‘Poetry Anthology’.
Monday 20 May – English Literature 2 – this includes JB Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ , Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ and some questions on previously unseen poetry.
We have a great general video made by Mr Daniels on how to prepare for the English Literature exam. It can be viewed here.
Paper 1 – Macbeth
This paper will include a passage from the play with questions about the scene and how it relates to the wider story. There will also be an essay to write – usually on a key character or theme.
We have provided a Revision Guide / Work Pack for Macbeth here.
Other revision support on Macbeth can be found here:
Macbeth – GCSE English Literature Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize
Shakespeare in Seven Minutes: Macbeth Summary
Macbeth – Exam Guide (This is a video talking through the exam)
Paper 1 – Poetry Anthology
This paper will see students being asked to review a poem and answer questions on it. They will then have to compare it to another poems they have revised from the selection in the anthology.
All students have a copy of the Poetry Anthology (selection of poems) and they have worked on it throughout the class.
We have provided a Revision Guide / Work Pack for the Poetry Anthology here.
Other revision support on the Poetry Anthology can be found here:
Paper 2 – A Christmas Carol
This paper will include a passage from the novel with questions about the scene and how it relates to the wider story. There will also be an essay to write – usually on a key character or theme.
We have provided a Revision Guide / Work Pack for A Christmas Carol here.
Other revision support on A Christmas Carol can be found here:
A Christmas Carol – GCSE English Literature Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize
Exam Guide – A Christmas Carol
Paper 2 – An Inspector Calls
This paper will include a passage from the play with questions about the scene and how it relates to the wider story. There will also be an essay to write – usually on a key character or theme.
We have provided a Revision Guide / Work Pack for An Inspector Calls here.
Other revision support on An Inspector Calls can be found here:
An Inspector Calls – GCSE English Literature Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize
An Inspector Calls Complete BBC Edition Bernard Hepton 1982 by JB Priestley (Full recording of the play)
Y11 An Inspector Calls Exam Prep
Paper 2 – Unseen Poetry
This paper will bring two poems that you have not seen before and you will need to analyse and compare them.
We have provided a Revision Guide / Work Pack for the unseen poetry here.
Other revision support on the unseen poetry can be found here:
Extra Revision Help
We have also produced video tutorials on this exam which your child can access via this Teams link.
Simon Daniels, Head of English, said: “Your child is well-prepped for this exam and it is just a case of working hard and delivering all they have learnt. They have been shown how to answer the questions, they have prepared answers, they know what to expect. It is all about them reminding themselves on everything, being clear on what they will face, and seeing from you that they can do it. Every child we have in Year 11 can do well here – at some point they have all got a Grade 4 or better.”
