English Literature

The texts in Year 7, 8 and 9 are ambitious and consist of a range of prose, plays and poems; students are given ample opportunity to discuss these verbally.  At GCSE we embed prior learning through challenging and stimulating texts with students developing their verbal skills through the spoken language component. English has such a vital place in education and society and we hope students enjoy all that it has to offer.

Course Details

A Level English Literature 7717
Specification – https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-b-7716-7717

Course Description

This interesting and exciting course provides the opportunity for students to explore challenging, and at times controversial, texts which no matter when written still hold great relevance and power today. In Year 12, students study set texts through the lens of tragedy, and in Year 13 students study political and social protest writing.

• It is vital that students have a love of literature for success at this level and that they are prepared to independently research the subject beyond the classroom.
• Students are taught by two different members of the English team for 9 hours per fortnight in Year 12 and Year 13.
• If a production of a play is being shown locally or in London, we aim to take the students to see the production to really experience the staging and production in all its glory.

Programme of Study

Year 12

The chosen set texts in Year 12 foster discussion and debate and open students’ eyes to different styles of writing. The texts are; ‘Death of A Salesman, ‘Othello’ and Keats’ poetry. Whilst in Year 12 students undertake their NEA assessment, consisting of two pieces of writing based on texts of their choice.

Year 13

In Year 13 the texts encourage students to become more aware of alternative societies and the writers’ viewpoints of these. The texts are; ‘The Kite Runner’, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and the poetry of William Blake.

Assessment

A level assessment consists of a mixture of NEA (non-exam assessment) and final examinations.

Examinations

Paper 1A. – Aspects of tragedy.

• 75 marks
• 2 hours 30 minutes
• 40% of overall A Level

Paper 2B. – Elements of political and social Protest writing

• 75 marks
• 3 hours
• 40% of overall A Level

Non-Exam Assessment

• Two essays based on a literary theory.
• One essay must be on a prose text and one must be on poetry.
• These pieces are independent pieces of work.
• 50 marks
• Approximately 1500 words each
• 20% of overall A Level

Home Learning

Students will be set tasks to complete in various forms ranging from reading around literary theories, researching tragedy as a literary genre, contextual information about the texts themselves and formal essays. Reading beyond the subject is vital for success at this level. Google Classroom is used as a platform to upload independent work.

Where can English take you

Further Study

• Degree in English
• Degree in Law
• Degree in History
• Degree in Journalism

Careers

• A degree in English lends itself so well to further study such as a Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree.
• Journalism
• Teacher
• Writer
• Critic
• Editor
• University Lecturer
• Researcher
• Public Relations Officer
• Newscaster
• Broadcaster
• Web content Manager
• Newspaper/Magazine Editor
• Librarian

How can parents support their child’s learning

• Engage in a discussion with your child about the texts they are studying in class and the themes these texts explore.
• If possible, look out for theatre productions/live screenings of the plays being studied or any plays that may be of interest to your child more broadly.
• Encourage your child to read broadly and to choose texts that challenge them and supplement the set texts they are studying.

Useful Links

• Nationaltheatre – org.uk. Here you can enjoy world class theatre online for free
• Royal Shakespeare Company – . www.rsc.org.uk
• British Library – www.bl.uk

For more information contact Mrs S Thompson, Head of English, Townsend Church of England School.