English Literature

Course summary

We hope that, after the two year course with us, pupils will have acquired the ability to pass the A Level examination with a very high grade. They will also have developed an awareness of the English literary tradition, skills in critical analysis and an enjoyment of great literature which will serve them for the rest of their lives. Much of the work done during the UT and Shell years (Years 10 and 11) is a foundation for A Level. The syllabus requires the study of 8 texts, with an emphasis on pre-1900 texts and post-2000 texts, as well as a comparative response to unseen poetry. External assessment accounts for 80% of the final mark with three terminal examinations in each of drama, prose and poetry. The further 20% of marks is drawn from a coursework task which is a 2500 - 3000 word extended comparative essay comparing two of the eight texts. The text is at the heart of the syllabus with a clear focus across the three main genres and a distinctive approach to literary criticism.