A Level English literature is an exciting and challenging course. We cover a broad range of prose, drama and poetry, including literary greats such as Hamlet and Frankenstein. We are incredibly passionate about literature and teach units to suit our own expertise. Ideas and issues in literature are timeless, and we enjoy bringing current affairs and debates in society into our lessons.

Students are expected to read widely around the subject and be confident to discuss texts in class. Our lessons are heavily based around discussion and students are expected to write essays on a weekly basis as part of their self-study. In addition to the texts we study in class, we also set additional reading to complement the main units of work. We aim to deliver an inspiring curriculum that will teach our students to be thinkers and critical readers as well as develop a knowledge of society and what it means to be human.  

Course content and assessment criteria 

Year 12 

Component 1: Drama A Streetcar Named Desire 

Component 2: Comparative Prose The Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein  

Component 3: Poems of the Decade, a comparison of one prepared poem and an unseen poem 

Component 4: Coursework - free choice, a comparison of two texts of your choice. 2500-3000 word essay 

Year 13

Component 1: Othello 

Component 3: Romantic Poetry- comparison of two poems from a collection of Romantic Poetry  

Revision 

Course Components: 

Component 1: Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire 

Component 2: The Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein (comparative) 

Component 3: Romantic Poetry and Poems of the Decade  

Component 4: Coursework- comparative unit. 

 

Exam Board: Edexcel 

Entry Requirements: 5 in English language, 5 in English literature 

Course suitable if you are interested in: reading, society, history, film and theatre 

Future paths: journalism, writing, teaching, law, public relations, politics, marketing 

This subject goes well with: religious studies, psychology, history, politics, sociology