St. Wilfrid’s Catholic School - A Parents’ Guide to the GCSE English Language and English Literature Exams

Sep 5, 2026

A Parents’ Guide from St. Wilfrid’s Catholic School explaining how to support GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature revision. It covers exam structure for both subjects, practical ways to create routines, gather resources, and use intervention sessions effectively. The guide emphasizes confidence, communication skills, and reducing anxiety through consistent work spaces and catch-up planning after absences. It also details revision resources, SPaG support, and methods of working together with children.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction: English as a subject and revision basics

Exam details

GCSE English Language

GCSE English Literature

How to revise

Getting the basics right

Talking and working together

Revision resources and tools

SPaG help

Why is English important?

St. Wilfrid’s Catholic School A Parents’ Guide to the GCSE English Language and English Literature Exams “He liked the mere act of reading, the magic of turning scratches on a page into words inside his head.” Contents: Introduction: English as a subject and revision basics……………….………………………pg. 3 Exam details………………………………………………………………………..……………………………pgs. 4-5 How to revise……………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 6 Revision resources and tools…………………………………………………………………………….pgs. 7-8 SPaG help…………………………………………………………………………………………………………pgs. 9-12 Why is English important? If you have a child who just cannot seem to see the significance of English, remind them of the following: • A good English GCSE is required for most level 3 courses. • Most universities and employers will demand GCSE English, often at Grade 5 and above. • It is much easier to do now rather than retaking it next year or doing it later in life. • English teaches you vital life skills that give you confidence and an ability to communicate. Getting the basics right Developing a short-term routine is key to reducing stress in the long term! Do any of the following apply to you or your child? 􀀹 Develop a regular routine for completing homework. Make sure there is a place free from distractions to work in, preferably with a desk/table to write on. 􀀹 Ensure your child has all the resources they need. For Literature: they have all been given their own copies of the modern texts, poetry anthologies, Shakespeare texts and 19th century texts. 􀀹 Ensure your child is attending any intervention or revision sessions being offered. 􀀹 The lessons are of the utmost importance – if these are not being valued or used to their full potential, they will be missing vital information. 􀀹 If they have been absent for any reason, check that they have spoken to the teacher to find out what they missed and how to catch up. 􀀹 Never say “I was never any good at English” as this can lead them to believe they may never be any good and to give up trying. Use positive reinforcement to encourage your child to do their best. 􀀹 Be aware of your child’s areas for development with SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) . Test them on the spellings they keep getting wrong. More help on common SPaG errors can be found below on pages 9-12. Talking and Working Together How to give practical help when your child is revising: 􀂃 Talk to your child about the texts they are studying. Even better, read them yourselves – all children have their own copy of each of the exam texts. Ask them why a certain character is important, or their function in the play or book. 􀂃 Talk to them about current affairs. Discuss the news on TV. Encourage them to express their opinions and to explain them clearly. 􀂃 Talk about the meanings of unfamiliar words you come across in books, films and TV programmes. 􀂃 Do an exam paper yourself! It will give you a good idea of just what your child is facing. Get your child to mark it and to teach you how to do it better. | Exam Details!
Our exam board is AQA for both English language and English literature.
GCSE English Language | | --- | | Component 1:
Date tbc Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
1 hour and 45 minutes (50% of total grade) | | Section A: Reading comprehension of one literature text 40 marks Section B: One writing task: descriptive or narrative 40 marks (24 content, 16 SPaG) Component 2:
Date tbc Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
1 hours and 45 mins (50 % of total grade) | |
Section A: Reading comprehension and comparison of two literary non-fiction texts.
40 marks
Section B: One writing task: present a viewpoint in whatever form you are asked (essay, letter, article, leaflet, speech) 40 marks (24 content, 16 SPaG) | |
Component 3: Non-examination (Not weighted)
One presentation / speech, including responses to questions and feedback. | | GCSE English Literature | | Component

FAQs

What should parents do first to help with revision routines?

Develop a short-term routine for completing homework and set up a distraction-free place with a desk or table. Ensure the child has all required resources and attends offered intervention or revision sessions.

What topics and assessment methods are used in GCSE English Language?

It includes reading comprehension of one literature text and a writing task in Component 1, plus reading, comparison, and a viewpoint writing task in Component 2. SPaG is assessed as part of the writing tasks.

How can parents practically support their child during revision?

Discuss the texts being studied, read the exam texts together when possible, and talk about unfamiliar vocabulary. Parents can also discuss current affairs and can do an exam paper themselves to help guide marking and improvement.

Sep 5, 2026

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