AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature Exam Clinic - Year 11 Pupils

This is an opportunity for pupils who are taking AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature this academic year to familiarise themselves with the format of each examination paper and spend a full day revising both language and literature, using practical study skills and proven exam techniques to improve their grade at GCSE.

Pupils will be working with a highly experienced English teacher and, in order to maximise their chances of success, places are limited to 20 pupils.

Criteria for identifying participants

This day is focused purely on preparation for the AQA examination board’s criteria.

The course leader will be providing ‘stretch and challenge’ for pupils wishing to maximise their potential in English Language and English Literature.

This course would be particularly beneficial to those pupils who are currently sitting on the ‘borderline’ between Grade 4/Grade 5 or those students who would simply benefit from a boost to their confidence before they sit their examinations in this core subject.

Natalie will concentrate particularly on:

  • Familiarising students with the GCSE examination papers
  • Interpreting the GCSE marking schemes in ‘pupil speak’ language
  • Boosting skills in interpretation of writers’ use of language/structural techniques
  • Preparing students for the extended writing tasks
  • Revising key literature texts and using evidence highly effectively
  • Understanding the best ways to incorporate social context into literature responses
  • Approaching the poetry tasks to maximise marks

Please email us at [email protected] for further information and to book.

Please note: all staff are DBS checked; the event is subjected to a risk assessment by Bath Spa University and there will be a first aider present at all times.

Presenter Profile

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Since completing her PGCE (English) in 1998, at King’s College, London, Natalie has been ‘in the classroom’ ever since. For twenty years, alongside teaching English (Key Stages 3, 4 and 5) Natalie has been Head of English, Literacy Lead across the curriculum, Director of Teaching and Assistant Headteacher, leading on Learning and Teaching. Natalie is also a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) with a proven track record in improving student outcomes across a wide range of school settings and types.

Natalie now leads on a wide variety of school improvement projects, working closely with senior leaders to evaluate either current provision, or assess how they can further develop outstanding practice across Multi Academy Trusts to maximise student outcomes. Increasingly, Natalie is supporting schools in preparing for Ofsted inspection, adapting her approach to suit the different experiences of individual schools and its range of stakeholders; Governors, Senior Leaders, Middle Leaders, teachers, parents, students. Natalie also leads a range of training for schools, in this capacity, informed by Natalie’s own experiences of Ofsted Inspector (OI) training.

Natalie is always keen to seek and develop innovative practice in learning and teaching. Ofsted described her, when in role as Head of English in a large comprehensive, as “dedicated to ensuring the highest possible standards”. Having been a member of a Local Governing Body, Natalie is also experienced in monitoring and evaluating the wide-ranging aspects of school life, and offering both the necessary challenge and support.

Natalie strongly believes that outstanding leaders must also be learners, and she is passionate about keeping abreast of and understanding emerging educational developments. Alongside her school leadership roles, Natalie completed her MA Education and was awarded ‘Distinction’. She, in turn, has a strong reputation in devising and delivering directly relevant professional development training to a wide range of both primary and secondary schools, across the UK.

Natalie is an accredited facilitator with the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL); she has written materials for and delivered the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) to a wide range of Middle Leaders within primary, secondary and special schools. More recently, she also devises and delivers training for those aspiring to roles in senior leadership.

Natalie maintains that ‘no two schools are the same’ and her professional approach has always been highly regarded by schools. When supporting schools, her breadth of experience in conjunction with the practical strategies she offers both teachers and leaders, not only accelerates student outcomes but also ambition.

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