EMC has invited some well-known figures in the world of English and Media teaching to give their views on a subject about which they feel strongly by writing us a guest post. These posts will not necessarily represent the views of The English and Media Centre, but promise to be thought-provoking and spark debate. IS…
EMC recently produced an early ‘first impressions’ blog on the new draft GCSE specifications for 2015. In some ways, that was a rather easier task than for the new A Level specifications because the truth is that with GCSE, the specification writers’ hands have been well and truly tied by the rigidity of the requirements…
As you will know by now, GCSE specifications will change next year, for first teaching in September 2015. The English and Media Centre will be running courses in the autumn term to support you in choosing a specification (further information at the bottom of the page), as well as publishing resources. In the meantime, in…
Some of the media coverage this week has suggested that the draft OCR/EMC Language and Literature specification is dumbing down, pandering to students’ interests and putting celebrities like Russell Brand in the same category as Shakespeare. In response we thought it important to set the record straight and provide some basic, factual information to help…
Starting with a look at ‘knowledge’ in relation to Great Expectations, Barbara Bleiman, co-director at The English and Media Centre, explores the debates around knowledge versus skills. Great Expectations 1. Dickens was writing in the 19th century. 2. Pip’s sister was called Mrs Joe Gargery. 3. Dickens wrote his novels in instalments as weekly serials.…
It is currently rumoured that the criteria are about to change again; if they do, then we will update our response. The consultation comes in two parts, one from OFQUAL, giving the overarching structure for all A Levels, with specific sections on each subject. The focus is assessment and its implications. The key element…
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