English Language & Literature
There are many benefits to studying an A Level in English Language and Literature. It offers a broad range of stimulating fiction and non-fiction texts. Students become not only confident critical readers but also skilled producers of original writing.
This is a two year course which is examined at the end of the two years.
Entry Requirements
Grade 6/5 or 5/6 in GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
Future Opportunities
This course provides an ideal background for English studies at University and complements ALL subjects well. At the same time it is suitable for students leaving directly for employment and training at 18.
The course allows students to develop their independent learning skills and increase their analysis and evaluation of both non-fiction and fiction texts - all skills that prepare students for University life and the world of work.
Careers where English Language/ Literature is considered desirable include: Law, Journalism, Publishing, Editing, Writing, Human Resources and Teaching.
Course Content & Assessment
Course Content
Assessment
Students are assessed in 4 components.
The first exam is a closed text, one hour, written examination worth 32 marks which represents 16% of
the qualification. In the exam, students complete a linguistic analysis in which they compare one text from the OCR
(EMC) anthology with an unseen text.
The second exam is a closed text, two hour, written examination worth 64 marks which represents 32% of the qualification. The exam comprises two sections. In Section A, Poetry: stylistic analysis, learners answer one question on a poem from the collection they have studied and compare it with their choice of one or two other poems from their collection (Poets include Heaney, Dickinson and Duffy). In Section B, Plays: dramatic and stylistic analysis, learners answer one question on the play that they have studied (Plays include one from: Othello, Translations, A Streetcar Named Desire).
The third exam is an open text, two hour, written examination worth 64 marks which represents 32% of the qualification. The exam comprises two sections. In Section A, Reading as a writer, learners will be required to answer one generic question, from a choice of two, on an aspect of narrative (such as narrative voice, the handling of time, moments of crisis), in their chosen text (The Great Gatsby, Atonement or The God of Small Things). In Section B, Writing as a reader, learners write a short narrative, drawing on what they have learned about narrative technique in the course of their study for Section A, followed by a short commentary.
There are two coursework tasks worth 20% of the total marks. For task 1, learners write a comparative essay of 1500–2000 words on a non-fiction text chosen from a prescribed list and another free-choice text from any genre. For task 2, learners write an original non-fiction text of 1000–1200 words and a 150-word introduction to the text.
Additional Costs
Students must buy their own copies of texts (between £6.00 and £9.00 per text). Over the course of the year there may be trips - theatre trips and conferences cost approximately £30 plus transport.
English Department
| Subject Leader | Ms V Johnston |
| Acting Subject Leader | Mrs J Brown |
| KS3 Lead (Years 7 & 8 and Year 6 Transition) | Mrs L O'Boyle |
| KS3 Lead (Years 8 & 9 and KS4 Transition) | Mrs R Merchant |
| KS4 Lead | Mrs F West |
| KS5 Lead | Mrs L Kamen |
| KS3 Transition and Data | Mrs L O'Boyle |
| Mrs A Ellershaw - Head of Media / EPQ Coordinator | |
| Mr I Holmes - KS5 Director of Learning | |
| Mrs E McFadden - Music & Reading Leader | |
| Mrs C Moulson | |
| Mrs M Oancea | |
| Mrs K O'Callaghan | |
| Ms L Rolfe - Assistant Head Teacher | |
| Mrs K Scuri - Drama | |
| Mrs C Simler (Maternity October 2023) | |
| Mrs C Trump (SENCO) | |
| English Administrator | Mrs H Rapsey |
| Subject Documents |
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| KS4/5 Reading List for English |