A Level English Language and Literature

This course is ideally suited to those who want to carry on with English as studied at GCSE. It develops students’ ability to understand and analyse fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as providing an opportunity for creative writing.

To improve your use of the English language and to enjoy using it to develop research, investigation and analytical skills which is excellent preparation for further study or entering the workplace.

To develop students’ interest in reading and studying non-fiction, fiction, drama and poetry; to encourage enthusiastic engagement with the ideas in texts and the writer’s crafting of language.

To promote discussion of literary ideas in a co-operative and explorative seminar setting.

Exam board: Edexcel

This course is ideally suited to those who want to carry on with English as studied at GCSE.

It develops students’ ability to understand and analyse fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as providing an opportunity for creative writing.

A Level Component 1: Telling Stories:
Section A: A study and exploration of the representation of place, exploring various representations of Paris through the study of an anthology of non-fiction texts.

Section B: A study of, and an exploration of, an imagined world in an extended piece of fiction, exploring how this imagined world is presented in a narrative.

Section C: A study of one poet from an anthology, exploring the way poetic voices present themes and concepts.

Component 2: Exploring Conflict

Section A: An exploration of the role of the individual in society through study of a prose text, and re-creative/re-casting writing based on that prose text. Candidates will also produce a critical commentary where they evaluate their own writing.

Section B: Dramatic Encounters – an exploration of the presentation of conflict in drama.

Component 3: Making Connections

This will require students to conduct an investigation (2500-3000 words) on a chosen theme and texts, one of which is fiction and the other is non-fiction. This is a coursework unit.

5 in English Language GCSE and 5 in English Literature GCSE.

It is desirable for students on this course to have a keen interest in creative writing, as well as a love of reading and a willingness to extend reading experience beyond the prescribed list of texts.