There are three options available for students who wish to further their studies of English at A-level. We offer A-levels in English Literature; English Language and Literature; and English Language.
A-level English Literature (OCR)
This subject is designed to appeal to students who love reading and wish to extend their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of literary texts. The course aims to develop your understanding of literary contexts and allows you to experience reading a range of genres from a range of literary periods. You will learn techniques and strategies to help you to read texts closely and critically and to be able to arrive at your own conclusions about meaning, whilst exploring differing critical viewpoints.
Texts you will study include plays such as The Tempest by Shakespeare and A Doll’s House by Ibsen; novels such as The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Small Island, allowing you to explore representations of the immigrant experience; and poetry by Christina Rossetti and Kate Tempest.
To enjoy and be successful in this course you need to have a love of reading and be willing to share your passion for literature with others. You will be encouraged to participate in wider reading sessions and other literature-based enrichment activities, allowing you to make links to themes and ideas related to the set texts.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
This subject is designed to appeal to students who love reading and wish to extend their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of literary texts. The course aims to develop your understanding of literary contexts and allows you to experience reading a range of genres from a range of literary periods. You will learn techniques and strategies to help you to read texts closely and critically and to be able to arrive at your own conclusions about meaning, whilst exploring differing critical viewpoints.
Texts you will study include plays such as The Tempest by Shakespeare and A Doll’s House by Ibsen; novels such as The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Small Island, allowing you to explore representations of the immigrant experience; and poetry by Christina Rossetti and Kate Tempest.
To enjoy and be successful in this course you need to have a love of reading and be willing to share your passion for literature with others. You will be encouraged to participate in wider reading sessions and other literature-based enrichment activities, allowing you to make links to themes and ideas related to the set texts.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
A-level English Language (AQA)
This subject is designed to appeal to students who enjoy the study of language and are seeking to explore the nature and functions of language, how its key constituent parts have developed under the influence of a variety of contextual factors and how these changes may be analysed and evaluated creatively.
You will learn about how we acquire language, how language changes over time and you will engage with contemporary debates about language and society. You will analyse a wide range of non-fiction texts, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of how texts and language used are influenced by their context.
To enjoy and be successful in this course, you need to be interested and engaged with language used all around you and be willing to explore texts in great detail, using a linguistic framework approach. It is a course for students who love to read and write and are interested in the relationship between language and society.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
This subject is designed to appeal to students who enjoy the study of language and are seeking to explore the nature and functions of language, how its key constituent parts have developed under the influence of a variety of contextual factors and how these changes may be analysed and evaluated creatively.
You will learn about how we acquire language, how language changes over time and you will engage with contemporary debates about language and society. You will analyse a wide range of non-fiction texts, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of how texts and language used are influenced by their context.
To enjoy and be successful in this course, you need to be interested and engaged with language used all around you and be willing to explore texts in great detail, using a linguistic framework approach. It is a course for students who love to read and write and are interested in the relationship between language and society.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
A-level English Language and Literature (AQA)
This subject is designed to appeal to students who are interested in studying a wide range of texts from spoken language texts to contemporary novels, as it brings together the study of literature and language. You will study and understand different genres of writing and develop the skills needed for close linguistic analysis and recreative writing
Texts you will study include drama such as A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams; poetry from a selection by Carol Ann Duffy; novels such as The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini; and a large selection of non-fiction writing taken from an anthology of writing based on Paris.
To enjoy and be successful in this course, you need to be willing to read a wide range of texts and be interested in exploring the detail of texts, using a linguistic framework approach. You will be interested in exploring how writers present ideas about place and how the theme of conflict is presented.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
This subject is designed to appeal to students who are interested in studying a wide range of texts from spoken language texts to contemporary novels, as it brings together the study of literature and language. You will study and understand different genres of writing and develop the skills needed for close linguistic analysis and recreative writing
Texts you will study include drama such as A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams; poetry from a selection by Carol Ann Duffy; novels such as The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini; and a large selection of non-fiction writing taken from an anthology of writing based on Paris.
To enjoy and be successful in this course, you need to be willing to read a wide range of texts and be interested in exploring the detail of texts, using a linguistic framework approach. You will be interested in exploring how writers present ideas about place and how the theme of conflict is presented.
More information on the structure of the course over the two years can be found on the website.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
You will engage with a wide range of learning activities whichever English course you decide to do, including group discussions, independent study, presentations and research projects. We aim to provide a varied and rich curriculum and encourage all students to participate in enrichment opportunities offered, including theatre trips, residentials (Lang Lit), workshops and visiting speakers.
All courses follow a two-year linear specification. The exams at the end of two years are worth 80% of the A-level and all students are required to submit a coursework element which is worth 20% of the A-level. You will be assessed formally and informally over the two years through terminology tests, analytical essays, presentations, discussions, blog work and creative writing pieces.
You will engage with a wide range of learning activities whichever English course you decide to do, including group discussions, independent study, presentations and research projects. We aim to provide a varied and rich curriculum and encourage all students to participate in enrichment opportunities offered, including theatre trips, residentials (Lang Lit), workshops and visiting speakers.
All courses follow a two-year linear specification. The exams at the end of two years are worth 80% of the A-level and all students are required to submit a coursework element which is worth 20% of the A-level. You will be assessed formally and informally over the two years through terminology tests, analytical essays, presentations, discussions, blog work and creative writing pieces.
Resources
You will work from booklets, worksheets and textbooks. DVDs, computers and IT facilities are also used to support your learning. You will be expected to purchase your own set texts. Support may be available to buy texts through the College bursary. You can expect to spend about £25 on your set texts if you are studying English Literature or English Language and Literature. You will also need to budget for stationery, equipment and educational visits.
You will work from booklets, worksheets and textbooks. DVDs, computers and IT facilities are also used to support your learning. You will be expected to purchase your own set texts. Support may be available to buy texts through the College bursary. You can expect to spend about £25 on your set texts if you are studying English Literature or English Language and Literature. You will also need to budget for stationery, equipment and educational visits.
Progression
English studies combine well with a wide range of other subjects. Through studying English, you develop high quality communication skills and all courses offer you the opportunity to develop your skills of critical analysis. These skills are highly transferable and support a wide range of progression routes, whether in higher education or in employment.
English studies combine well with a wide range of other subjects. Through studying English, you develop high quality communication skills and all courses offer you the opportunity to develop your skills of critical analysis. These skills are highly transferable and support a wide range of progression routes, whether in higher education or in employment.
Where can this course lead?
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