English Literature

Course summary

The A Level course in English Literature is designed to develop the students into evaluative, critical readers, who are confident expressing their own views on texts and are able to write intelligent, interesting essays. By following the Edexcel A Level programme, the students are exposed to a wide range of writers from the 14th to the 21st Century. Through their studies, the students develop their analytical skills further and begin to consider a range of alternative interpretations that can be brought to bear on texts, including introductions to literary theory, alternative critical readings and the significance that historical, cultural and literary context plays in the creation and reception of texts. There is, of course, an expectation that students will continue to read for pleasure beyond the texts required on the course, and this reading may be of particular value in their coursework module which allows them to choose their own text to compare with a taught A Level text. The coursework is worth 20% of the A Level and is undertaken in Year 13, and the students will write an academic, referenced 3000 word essay for this which is excellent preparation for university and beyond. Overall, the course is challenging yet extremely rewarding, and students who sit A Level Literature go on to a vast range of impressive courses and careers given the breadth of skills the course nurtures.