The A Level Students follow the AQA Specification for English Literature, which is a two-year course. Students study and respond to a variety of texts; novels, poetry, drama, including modern and pre-20th Century Literature. Texts are grouped by theme, ‘Love through the Ages’ and ‘WW1 and its Aftermath’. We study the war unit in Year 12 after a short transition unit designed to ease students into the demands of the course where they are shown how to read closely, understand that the text is a construct and adopt a critical debate to respond to questions. Towards the end of Year 12, we embark on the coursework unit – the comparison of two texts. Although the essay is 2500 words, it should be succinctly capture a student’s insight into the themes, style and character of both texts. We teach one text in class to support this unit, and this year we have taught Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge. Students have free choice of a second worthy text for comparison. Themes explored in this unit include, freedom and imprisonment, justice, the gothic to name a few. An essential requirement of the course is an aptitude for independent study and thought. For each theme, students must read and study one play, one prose piece and one collection of poetry. There is an unseen element in both examinations and this really does test a student’s skills. In lessons, students are expected to take an active part, working individually, in pairs or in small groups on reading for meaning, presentations, debates and discussions. Homework tasks will include research, reading, note taking, planning and re-visiting essays to improve their skills. Skills developed in this subject therefore, include communication, analysis, evaluation and how to form an argument. Students who study English Literature go on to study a plethora of subjects at university, such as Criminology, History and Law. The challenge of the course prepares students for the workplace by giving them the ability to express their ideas formally, creatively and with well-chosen supporting evidence.
The standard entry criteria to study in the sixth form are a 9-4 in at least seven different subjects, including English and mathematics, which would usually be at grade 4 or above. You must achieve a grade 5 in both English Language and Literature GCSE in order to be accepted on to the course. Talk to your English teacher about whether this is a suitable choice for you to study at A Level.
Paper 1: Love Through the Ages Study of three texts: one poetry and one prose text, of which one must be written pre-1900, and one Shakespeareplay. Exam will include two unseen poems. Paper 2: WW1 and its Aftermath Option 2A: WW1 and its aftermath Study of three texts: one prose, one poetry, and onedrama, of which one must be written post-2000. Exam will include an unseen extract. Non-examination Assessment Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900. One extended essay (2,500 words) and a bibliography.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Staffordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | North Avenue, Stafford, ST16 1NR |
The A Level Students follow the AQA Specification for English Literature, which is a two-year course. Students study and respond to a variety of texts; novels, poetry, drama, including modern and pre-20th Century Literature. Texts are grouped by theme, ‘Love through the Ages’ and ‘WW1 and its Aftermath’. We study the war unit in Year 12 after a short transition unit designed to ease students into the demands of the course where they are shown how to read closely, understand that the text is a construct and adopt a critical debate to respond to questions. Towards the end of Year 12, we embark on the coursework unit – the comparison of two texts. Although the essay is 2500 words, it should be succinctly capture a student’s insight into the themes, style and character of both texts. We teach one text in class to support this unit, and this year we have taught Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge. Students have free choice of a second worthy text for comparison. Themes explored in this unit include, freedom and imprisonment, justice, the gothic to name a few. An essential requirement of the course is an aptitude for independent study and thought. For each theme, students must read and study one play, one prose piece and one collection of poetry. There is an unseen element in both examinations and this really does test a student’s skills. In lessons, students are expected to take an active part, working individually, in pairs or in small groups on reading for meaning, presentations, debates and discussions. Homework tasks will include research, reading, note taking, planning and re-visiting essays to improve their skills. Skills developed in this subject therefore, include communication, analysis, evaluation and how to form an argument. Students who study English Literature go on to study a plethora of subjects at university, such as Criminology, History and Law. The challenge of the course prepares students for the workplace by giving them the ability to express their ideas formally, creatively and with well-chosen supporting evidence.
The standard entry criteria to study in the sixth form are a 9-4 in at least seven different subjects, including English and mathematics, which would usually be at grade 4 or above. You must achieve a grade 5 in both English Language and Literature GCSE in order to be accepted on to the course. Talk to your English teacher about whether this is a suitable choice for you to study at A Level.
Paper 1: Love Through the Ages Study of three texts: one poetry and one prose text, of which one must be written pre-1900, and one Shakespeareplay. Exam will include two unseen poems. Paper 2: WW1 and its Aftermath Option 2A: WW1 and its aftermath Study of three texts: one prose, one poetry, and onedrama, of which one must be written post-2000. Exam will include an unseen extract. Non-examination Assessment Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900. One extended essay (2,500 words) and a bibliography.