Is this normal for GCSE English Literature?

It's fine if it's been interspersed with English language, as those texts take time. It's better that the supply staff were just given work to consolidate what they'd already learned and the teacher picked it back up. Being an act behind another class makes very little difference. They have to know the text well and how parts connect, and what to say about it, not just have sped through reading and recognise it.

This seems pretty normal compared to us. DC did 2 books in year 10 and 1 in year 11. They’ve also did the poetry across both years.

Have they done much of the language paper? They’ve still got plenty of time to do AIC and poetry, but it depends on how much of Lang they’ve done as to whether I’d be concerned or not.

Unless they have really leaned into language then I think that’s slow. We cover all lit texts except maybe a few poems in year ten then circle back through then in year 11. Full Language and a Paper 1 lit paper are done in year 10 and a full set of both in Nov year 11. I think that is pretty standard.

We are in Wales so things are done slightly differently. Year 10 are the first year following a new syllabus so they have double award English, which combines language and lit.

So far they have done a Christmas carol, and the 2 nea that linked to it so module 2 is done. ( I think helped by the fact they had looked at the text in year 9.

They have covered the poetry needed for module 1, and sat the actual exam before half term.

Module 3 is also 2xNea, which i think they should completed one of by now, but they are schuled for later in June.

They haven't yet started the text for module 4,( which will be an exam) which i think is going to be an inspector calls.

They haven't yet started a Shakespeare play ( don't know which one they are doing), which will be part of the nea for module 5. The other nea for module 5 is poetry based, which they haven't started either.

I can't remember what was covered by module 6, which will also be covered by an exam.

I don't think I remember language and literature together being as much as this, but it was over 30 years ago so may have been.

I think things probably took a bit longer at the start whilst they were all bedding in, and bubthe time they finish this year, ypu may be surprised about what they have covered.

It doesn’t sound ideal tbh but a lot of what is covered in the early lessons will be useful for all texts (skills for ACC = use those for AIC IYSWIM). So less time will be needed for AIC. Also it’s a bit more accessible tbf that either ACC or especially Shakespeare. Many schools spend longer on the Shakey as it’s harder, or perceived as harder.

So I imagine it will be fine. You can help by sourcing productions of the texts to watch eg at home. There is a brilliant brilliant version of Macbeth with David Tennant and Cush Jumbo which was filmed and may be screened near you; also a good one (well, I liked it!) with Chris Ecclestone and Niamh Cusack. Or loads of other versions. AIC the classic one is the NT production by Stephen Daldry originally staged in the 1990s but I am sure you can find a version of that as well.

Also please remember that the essay is a 45-min task in the exam; no examiner is expecting anything astonishing. IMHO a term is plenty of time to study AIC and start on the poems. I think people get way to hung up on remembering the quotes but the key thing is the themes and what in the text backs them up.

My Year 10 (also large mainstream secondary) has done 2 books + some poetry + some exam technique. Apparently the last book + more poetry is covered in Year 11.