English Literature

Students will learn to love Shakespeare’s comedies and appreciate Charles Dickens’ gift for prose. Classes are lively and creative and students will enjoy reading the texts out loud and contributing to drama and debates as well as developing their ability to analyse a range of poetry and prose in preparation for the exams.

Examination Board
AQA

Unit Content
Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

• Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare
• A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
• 1 written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 40% of GCSE

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry

• An Inspector Calls – J. B. Priestley
• Power and Conflict poetry from a selection chosen by AQA
• Unseen poetry
• 1 written exam: 2 hour 15 minutes
• 60% of GCSE

Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. In the past many students have had short stories put in print as a result of entering into faculty supported national competitions and students are also encouraged to enter poetry competitions in support of local and national charities. Students who are enthusiastic about English will be able to join the English society, ‘Supernova’ which is student run and allows students a place to discuss their creativity and enjoyment of reading. Supernova students also participate in a range of theatre visits in addition those offered as part of the curriculum.

Progression
Both English Language and English Literature provide the foundations for all A-Level subjects. Both GCSEs are highly regarded and recognised as offering employers and higher education institutions a clear indication of student’s literacy and ability to communicate. Students who excel at English go on to work in marketing, publishing, law, journalism, teaching, academic pursuits and within the television and film media.