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Summer 2010: Coursework Forms / Internal Assessment Manual

Specifications for first teaching September 2010 now accredited

NEW: Teachers' Guide

NEW: Unitised Assessment Regulations

Examples of acceptable and unacceptable controlled assessment notes

Like all awarding bodies, WJEC has revised its specifications in the English subject area for first teaching from September 2010 (first award 2012). WJEC is offering 3 qualifications in the GCSE English subject area:

  • GCSE English
  • GCSE English Language
  • GCSE English Literature

We are pleased to announce that these specifications have now been accredited.

Key features:

  • Specifications produced following consultation with teachers
  • Direct email and phone contact with subject officer and administrative support
  • Straightforward, efficient administration
  • INSET offered across England and Wales
  • Tried and trusted assessment
  • Content allows flexibility in entry decisions
  • Reliable and well-established senior examiner team
  • Separate units for Reading and Writing in English / English Language external assessment allow for better time management in the exam and re-sit flexibility
  • Free online teacher guide in preparation
  • Audio CD of poetry in the poetry collection
  • Wide range of materials planned by OUP and Heinemann, written by senior examiners

Main changes from draft specification

The main changes from the draft specifications published in July are as follows:

  • Two of the speaking and listening tasks in Unit 4 (GCSE English and English Language) must be of a functional nature;
  • An oral response to the language study in Unit 4 (GCSE English Language) is not allowed;
  • Heroes replaces Private Peaceful as a GCSE English Literature set text (Unit 2);
  • In the three subjects unannotated copies of reading texts may be used in controlled assessment sessions (Unit 3);
  • In the three subjects an A4 sheet of notes made by the student (not containing a plan or draft) may be used in controlled assessment of reading sessions (Unit 3). 

Specifications and specimen assessment materials:

Notes

Please note the following:

  • GCSE English will not be available in Wales;
  • Pupils at mainstream maintained schools in England must be entered for EITHER GCSE English OR GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature;
  • GCSE English and GCSE English Language is a prohibited combination;
  • GCSE English and GCSE English Literature is a prohibited combination;
  • We are offering unitised assessment: the first units will be offered in Summer 2011, but the first full award will be in Summer 2012;
  • The existing specifications will be offered for examination for the last time in Summer 2011, with a re-sit opportunity for GCSE English only in November 2011.

Full details are in the specifications. The summary of assessment on page 2 of each booklet and also posted separately provides a useful overview.

Details of the existing specification

GCSE English Specification (for examination from 2009) 

For further information, please contact:

Nancy Hutt - Subject Officer
Telephone: 029 2026 5023 
E-mail: nancy.hutt@wjec.co.uk

Matt Oatley - Subject Support Officer
Telephone: 029 2026 5054
E-mail: matthew.oatley@wjec.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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