Post-16
Post-16
The Department teaches two A Levels, having introduced English Language and Literature in addition to English Literature in 2003. English is generally an extremely popular A Level: at present over 100 students take it in years 12 and 13.
GCE English Language and Literature
| Year 12 AS English Language and Literature - Edexcel | |
| Unit 1: Exploring Voices in Speech and Writing | Unit 2: Creating Texts |
| Students will be given an unseen extract from a spoken word text on which they will be required to answer a series of short questions. They will then write an essay answer on a literary text that they have studied: this could be ‘The Color Purple’ by A. Walker. | Students will create a coursework folder on a theme, such as ‘Gothic and Supernatural’ aimed at a reading and a listening audience. Students will need to produce an additional commentary on the language choices made and the effect they have the on audience. |
| Exam | Coursework |
| Year 13 A2 English Language and Literature - Edexcel | ||
| Unit 4a: Writing for Different Audiences and Purposes Coursework | Unit 5: Wider Reading | Unit 6: Genre Studies |
| Students study a range of non-fiction before writing two pieces of their own, which has different purposes and is aimed at different audiences | Students study a pre-1770 text such as a selection of ‘Metaphysical Poets’; and a 20th century text such as David Mamet’s play ‘Oleanna’. | Students analyse a range of non-fiction on a related theme. |
| Coursework | Exam | Exam |
GCE English Literature
| Year 12 AS English Literature - AQA | |
| Unit 1: Aspects of Narrative | Unit 2: Dramatic Genres |
| Students will study four texts : two novels, one post 1990 such as Ian McEwan’s ‘Enduring Love’ , and two selections of poetry such as that by Christina Rossetti. | Students will create a portfolio of two pieces of written coursework based on the genre of ‘tragedy’. One play by Shakespeare and one modern play will be studied. |
| Exam | Coursework |
| Year 13 A2 English Literature - Edexcel | ||
| Unit 4a: Modern Prose | Unit 5: Drama and Poetry | Unit 6: Synoptic Unit |
| Students write an analysis of a 20th century novel such as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood or ‘Brighton Rock’ by Graham Greene. | Students study a pre-1770 drama such as ‘Othello’ by Shakespeare and a selection of modern poetry such as ‘Selected Poems’ by Carol Ann Duffy or Philip Larkin’s ‘The Whitsun Weddings’. | Section A: An analysis of an unseen prose extract. Section B: ‘The Social Observer’ - Students compare the poetry of John Betjeman with that of William Blake |
| Coursework | Exam | Exam |