Books are mirrors when readers see their own lives reflected in the pages. Books are windows when they allow readers a view of lives and stories that are different from their own. Books become sliding glass doors when readers feel transported into the world of the story and when they feel empathy for the characters.
Rudine Sims Bishop – Professor emerita at Ohio State University
Literature in English at Advanced Level will involve you in the study of significant literary texts, both modern and pre-1900, in drama, poetry and prose. Students will do AS exams (50% of the total assessment) at the end of the first year and A2 exams (50% of the total assessment) at the end of the second year.
Overall, we provide essential training in the skills of close reading, analysis and essay-writing and this will give you a firm base of skills and knowledge if you intend to study Arts or Humanities at a higher level or to add much-valued breadth to your study of the Sciences. A strong emphasis on class discussion encourages the independent exploration of ideas, which will prepare you for studies at college or university. Regular tests take place from the first term to give students practice in examination techniques.
English students go on regular trips which enable you to enhance your appreciation of your set texts outside the classroom environment. Recent trips have included Study Days at Shakespeare’s Globe on Macbeth and theatre visits to see The Winter’s Tale and Henry IV, Part 2.
Aims of the Course
During the course, we will give you opportunities to:
• Read widely, independently and critically
• Become familiar with the traditions of English literature
• Learn to express your literary response in speech and writing
• Develop as a confident, independent and reflective reader
• Use critical concepts and literary terminology with understanding
• Understand and evaluate the interpretations of others
• Broaden the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired on AS/2 level texts
• Use your knowledge and understanding of individual texts to explore comparisons between them
• Appreciate the significance of cultural and historical influences on and context of texts and writers
AS Texts to be studied in 2021- 2022:
Paper 1 – Drama and Poetry
2 hour exam – closed book – 50 marks total (25% of total A level)
Students will answer an essay question on each set text.
Gillian Clarke, Collected Poems
Arthur Miller, All My Sons
Paper 2 – Prose and Unseen
2 hour exam – closed book – 50 marks (25% of total A level)
Students will write an essay on each set text.
Ian McEwan, Atonement
Unseen Extract (Drama, Poetry, Prose)
A2 Texts to be studied in 2021-22:
Paper 3 – Shakespeare and Drama
2 hour exam – closed text – 50 marks (25% of total A level)
Students will write an essay on each set text.
William Shakespeare, King Lear
Shelagh Stephenson, An Experiment with an Air Pump
Paper 4 – Poetry and Prose
2 hour exam – closed book – 50 marks (25% of total A level)
Students will write an essay on each set text
John Milton, Paradise Lost: Books 9 and 10.
Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale (Penguin)
Higher Education and Careers Opportunities
All universities and employers recognise that an English qualification is a clear demonstration of an impressive set of skills including independent research, the understanding and manipulation of complex ideas and strong oral and written communication abilities.
Professional careers such as accountancy, banking and law welcome English graduates with on-the-job training used to develop key skills. Students may also progress to the media as some form of journalist, whether it is working on a newspaper, for a magazine or website. Publishing is another popular choice, based around an understanding of the language and its marketable presentation – the selecting, reviewing and arranging of material for publication.
Other students pursue a research role: working behind the scenes on television or radio programmes to provide background information can be a very rewarding first career move. You’re also well placed to go into a whole range of industries, such as retail, secretarial, administration, advertising, marketing, media, PR and sales.
A level Results
2017-21 |
A*-A |
A*-B |
| 67% | 91% |
