Students follow either the new (2010) AQA specifications in English Language and Literature (Double GCSE) or English (Single GCSE) Both courses involve a mixture of examined units and controlled assessment tasks. Students initially take exam units at the end of Y10 with an opportunity to retake the units once more in Y11, either in January or June. Controlled Assessment marks are submitted at the end of the course for all specifications. Following the units taken at the end of Y10, students will have a good idea of the scores that they need to achieve on controlled assessment to achieve their target grades. Examination results in the department are consistently excellent.