English | Year 12 - 13
Curriculum Intent
Offering clear progression from GCSE, the combined English Language and Literature course allows students to build on the skills and knowledge already gained and prepare for their next steps.
The variety of texts studied allows students to develop a wide range of skills including the ability to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake independent research which are valuable for both further study and future employment.
What will I learn on this course?
The main focus for the first year will be on skills acquisition as students become familiar with applying the linguistic theory of Stylistics to a range of texts. Texts are grouped on a theme of Telling Stories and students will focus on three main areas of study: a collection of non-fiction texts focusing on Remembered Places around the theme of Paris; a short anthology of poetry from a selected poet exploring aspects of Poetic Voices; and a literary prose text which explores aspects of Imagined Worlds.
Assessments, Intervention and Support
You will complete frequent assessments throughout the two years. You will only complete external exams at the end of year 13. As a department, we are supportive and will put measures in place to support your learning and ensure that you are making the right amount of progress.
Independent Study
You will be expected to take control of your own learning and read outside of lesson time. In order to succeed in this A-Level, you must have a broad knowledge of Literature; the only way to achieve this is by reading! In addition to this reading, you will be expected to:
- Complete practice papers and questions
- Revise each unit as the two-year course progresses
- Homework will take a minimum of 3 hours a week
- Seek teachers out to clarify any misunderstandings or to help you solve problems
Summer tasks to prepare for the course
- Read at least one novel from the A-Level reading list and prepare a presentation exploring the writers’ techniques and use of structure
Course Content
This course is linear so will only be assessed at the end of the second year.
Paper 1: Telling Stories—40%
You will complete a 3 hour exam. All sections are open book. There are three sections:
- Section A—Remembered Places – comparison question focussing on two extracts from the Paris Anthology
- Section B—Imagined Worlds—essay question on an extract from the studied prose text
- Section C—Poetic Voices—essay question exploring themes in two studied poems
Paper 2: Exploring Conflict—40%
You will complete a 2 hours and 30 minutes open book exam
- Section A—Wider Society—text transformation task based on a studied text with an accompanying evaluative commentary
- Section B—Dramatic Encounters— question on an extract of a studied play
Non-exam assessment: Making Connections—20%
Comparative critical study of two texts: one literary fiction, one non-literary text. Extended essay—3000 words
Reading
Over the two years you will read a minimum of 5 texts:
Telling stories
Paris Anthology
Poetry Anthology
Prose text
Exploring Conflict
Prose text
Drama text
Non-exam assessment