We hope students choose Literature based on a love of reading texts that have shaped literature over the years – it is something that will stay with students for all the years to come. Literature is a well-respected A Level, recognized for its challenge and depth by all universities. Many students go on to study English or English-based subjects at university; the skills learned in the A Level Literature classroom are irrefutably important in any walk of life.
The course we study at A Level is AQA English Literature Specification B, which is made up of two exams and a coursework style unit (NEA). The aim is to complete the first reading and interpretation of all course content during Year 12, allowing Year 13 time for further in-depth study and revision with a focus on exam techniques to support students in preparing for the formal examinations. The exam board emphasizes the importance of student voice and independent argument, so debate and discussion are central to A Level lessons. Component 1 ‘Literary Genres’ (40%) - Students will study Tragedy texts including Shakespeare’s Othello, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and a selection of poetry by John Keats. The exam paper is closed text and students will be supported in selecting and learning quotations to support their interpretations and ideas. This unit encourages students to explore concepts of tragedy and text in performance. Component 2 ‘Texts and Genres’ (40%) - Students will study ‘Elements of Crime Writing’. Students will study the classic ‘whodunnit’ by Agatha Christie The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and the award-winning crime novel by Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News? This also includes a range of poetry by Oscar Wilde, Robert Browning, and George Crabbe. There will be an expectation to be able to analyze an unseen passage in this exam based on students’ knowledge of the wider genre so a wider reading list is provided. This has proved a popular topic and lively debate about morality, social causes and implications of crime, historical and political concepts of justice, and concepts of punishment enrich student thinking beyond the curriculum. Students have found this complements similar fields of study in Psychology and Sociology. Component 3 ‘Literary Theory’ (20%) - The third component is a Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) based on literary theory, which aims to develop independence in reading and thinking. Here students will study a poetry and a prose text, informed by the study of the Critical Anthology and students will complete a portfolio of two essays. One of these essays can be re-creative, which will be accompanied by a commentary. The requirement for this work to be independent is significant and students will be supported in choosing texts that are varied and of personal interest to them. This is an excellent opportunity for students to experience independence study skills in preparation for University/further study in any discipline.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | West Berkshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Love Lane, Shaw, Newbury, RG14 2DU |
We hope students choose Literature based on a love of reading texts that have shaped literature over the years – it is something that will stay with students for all the years to come. Literature is a well-respected A Level, recognized for its challenge and depth by all universities. Many students go on to study English or English-based subjects at university; the skills learned in the A Level Literature classroom are irrefutably important in any walk of life.
The course we study at A Level is AQA English Literature Specification B, which is made up of two exams and a coursework style unit (NEA). The aim is to complete the first reading and interpretation of all course content during Year 12, allowing Year 13 time for further in-depth study and revision with a focus on exam techniques to support students in preparing for the formal examinations. The exam board emphasizes the importance of student voice and independent argument, so debate and discussion are central to A Level lessons. Component 1 ‘Literary Genres’ (40%) - Students will study Tragedy texts including Shakespeare’s Othello, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and a selection of poetry by John Keats. The exam paper is closed text and students will be supported in selecting and learning quotations to support their interpretations and ideas. This unit encourages students to explore concepts of tragedy and text in performance. Component 2 ‘Texts and Genres’ (40%) - Students will study ‘Elements of Crime Writing’. Students will study the classic ‘whodunnit’ by Agatha Christie The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and the award-winning crime novel by Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News? This also includes a range of poetry by Oscar Wilde, Robert Browning, and George Crabbe. There will be an expectation to be able to analyze an unseen passage in this exam based on students’ knowledge of the wider genre so a wider reading list is provided. This has proved a popular topic and lively debate about morality, social causes and implications of crime, historical and political concepts of justice, and concepts of punishment enrich student thinking beyond the curriculum. Students have found this complements similar fields of study in Psychology and Sociology. Component 3 ‘Literary Theory’ (20%) - The third component is a Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) based on literary theory, which aims to develop independence in reading and thinking. Here students will study a poetry and a prose text, informed by the study of the Critical Anthology and students will complete a portfolio of two essays. One of these essays can be re-creative, which will be accompanied by a commentary. The requirement for this work to be independent is significant and students will be supported in choosing texts that are varied and of personal interest to them. This is an excellent opportunity for students to experience independence study skills in preparation for University/further study in any discipline.