New GCSEs – first examination in 2016

1. New GCSEs – first examination in 2016

2. Ofqual consultation – no combined subject English language • This will be assessed by exam. Students’ speaking skills will be assessed but, as with current GCSEs, will not contribute to the overall grade. The assessment will be marked by teachers and reported separately, alongside the qualification grade on the certificate. Twenty per cent of the marks for the written exams will be allocated to accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. English literature • This will be assessed wholly by exam. Five per cent of the marks will be allocated to accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

3. English language and English literature GCSEs will be untiered. Currently GCSEs in both subjects are tiered. • Linear assessment • November resit option will be available

4. Grading • 9 grades and U. Grade 9 will represent the highest level of attainment. • Provide more differentiation between students achieving the middle and higher grades. Currently there is a “bunching” of grades as most students are awarded grades B, C and D.

5. Link to old grades • Deliberately different, new qualification • Will publish info to make new grades understandable to employer (including comparability with current standards)

6. Accreditation • By end of Dec 2014 so we can expect the specs after this.

7. Progress 8 • English Language or literature will be double weighted. (Higher score, only applies if both subjects taken) • The other English subject can count towards progress 8.

8. English Language • All texts will be unseen. • Texts will be substantial from 19th, 20th and 21st centuries • Texts must include literature, extended non-literary non-fiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism

9. English Literature • a Shakespeare play • a 19th century novel (not short stories) • A selection of poetry (15 poems, at least 5 writers) from 1789 onwards including Romantic poetry • Fiction or Drama from the British Isles from 1914 onwards • There will be unseen texts in the English Literature exam

10. Launch • June/July

11. New A - Levels • Specs published June 2014 (launch events) • Start teaching Sept 2015 • First AS exams June 2016. (This is a stand-alone course – not the first half of the A level course) • Linear – assessment at the end of 2 years

12. The new subject criteria • Language • 20% coursework • Tightened technical vocabulary to ensure correct / up-to-date • Minor amendments to the subject content, to include the study of historical, geographical, social and individual varieties of English, as well as aspects of language and identity.  • Language and Literature • 20% coursework • Less prescription re genre at both AS and A Level • One of the texts studied must be non-literary • Inclusion of specific language levels • Emphasis on comparison is reduced

13. The new subject criteria Literature • 8 texts, not 12, to facilitate in-depth reading and move away from ‘secondary texts’ • 6 texts reduced down to 4 at AS • Some date ranges have changed: post-1990 becomes post-2000; greater emphasis on pre-1900 texts • Unseen assessment will be a compulsory requirement • Less emphasis on comparison, in favour of ‘connections’ • 20% coursework