This course is a traditional A Level and relies on written rather than practical methods.
Coursework is 20% of the course with exam texts making up the rest (80%) Coursework is a comparison of two prose texts of the student’s choice – with teacher supervision.
The course has three other modules.
1) Drama - this is 30% of the course and the two exam texts are Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire. We read both plays in class with students taking on roles (role play) and acting out the texts. Othello is the A2 text and students also need to study a Shakespearean Critical Anthology alongside this text.
2) Prose - this is Unit 2 and revolves around the theme of Science and Society. In the exam (worth 20%) students have to compare “Frankenstein” and “Never Let Me Go.” Preparation for this exam includes close reading and analysis, completion of a reading diary and a variety of group and paired work, not to mention whole class discussion of key linking themes. This is initially taught in year 1.
3) Poetry - In Year 1 students study in class twenty modern poems and in the exam (30%) they have to compare a named poem with an unseen text. The key methods are Form, Language, Imagery, Rhyme, Tone. For the A2 year students have to study 30 Metaphysical Poems and compare in the exam a named poem to another poem of their choice from the collection based on a key linking theme.
Drama: Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire
Prose: Science + Society Frankenstein and Never Let Me Go
Poetry: Modern Anthology and metaphysical poems
Coursework: Comparison of two texts.
Analysis
Close reading
Comparison
Synthesising
Development of an individual line of enquiry
The ability to develop and effectively apply knowledge to a range of literary texts
The opportunity to undertake independent and sustained study to deepen appreciation of a range of literary texts of different genres and periods
The ability to explore the contexts of texts and other interpretations of them
Being able to engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of texts and ways of responding to them.
Being able to analyse material in order to develop a strongly independent line of enquiry
Deconstructing questions or tasks to ensure thorough understanding
English has so many transferable skills it is a vital prerequisite for any career / uni course because of the literacy, organisational, and oracy skills it promotes.
20 % coursework
80% Exam
Theatre trips, guest speakers, trips to Manchester University
Ashton Explore Book Club and Writer’s Hub
English Literature Alumni
Wren Weaver
A*AAB
Drama and Theatre, English Literature, Psychology, EPQ
English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford
Blessing Mdongo
A*ABB
Politics, Geography, English Literature, EPQ
Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick
Lily Aldred
A*A*A*A
English Literature, Politics, History, EPQ
History and English at the University of Oxford
Wren Weaver
A*AAB
Drama and Theatre, English Literature, Psychology, EPQ
English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford
Blessing Mdongo
A*ABB
Politics, Geography, English Literature, EPQ
Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick
