Dear Parents/Carers,
As you know, at Gaynes School Language College students do two GCSEs in English: English Language and English Literature. Previously both of these GCSEs have been taken in the summer of Year 11. However, it has been decided that current Year 10 students will take early entry for their GCSE English Language and sit this instead in November 2010 (start of Year 11).
Why do this?
- It has been proven that early entry can increase A*-Cs gained. Other schools in Havering have seen a very positive result by entering students for the November exam and we believe our students could also benefit from this. It allows students to give undivided attention to English Language without getting confused between the two GCSEs and between what is expected of them in each exam. English Language is of most importance for our students as it is a grade C or above in this GCSE which colleges and most employers insist upon.
What happens after the November exams
- After the November exam all students will complete their last piece of Literature coursework and then study the English Literature exam module.
- The results for the November exam will be published in January when they will be carefully analysed by the school. Based upon the analysis of individual cases one of two decisions will than be made. Either, particular students will need to continue studying English Language and take the exam again in the summer. Or, particular students will no longer need to study English Language and will instead focus solely on English Literature.
How will this affect my child?
- Previously we have completed all the coursework in Year 10 and then spent Year 11 focusing on both the Language and Literature exams. This needs to be changed to allow us to have time to complete the Language course by November. Lessons will continue as normal until the first four pieces of coursework are completed. These all count towards the Language GCSE. The fifth piece of coursework, which is a Literature piece, will now be completed in Year 11. In its place will be the English Language exam module (Completed in Year 10). At the start of Year 11 and until students sit the exam in November, English Language exam preparation and revision will be continued.
Students will be fully prepared for the November exam and it is expected that the majority of students will gain their target grade in November. Early entry for English Language GCSE has been carried out with great success in other schools in Havering and we hope that you will support us in this initiative.