ProspectusIntroduction
At every level, English teachers at The Downs are concerned to set high expectations for their students. Care is taken with progression through each year and key stage, to ensure students of every ability build upon past successes and gain positive results. The schemes of work at Key Stage 3 are carefully written so as to ensure pupils cover (and revisit) the full range of skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Prominence is given to teaching to the Literacy Strategy, and in Year 9 attention is paid to ensuring students face the Key Stage 3 tests with confidence.GCSE
At GCSE, most students are entered for English and Literature, covering a variety of work which includes a Shakespeare play, and literature from pre-1914 and post-1914. The course allows for coursework tasks and examination work, and students can be entered for two tiers, depending upon their ability. At 'AS' and 'A2', sixth formers are currently taking the Edexcel syllabus, which offers a range of modern and traditional literary texts for study, and includes a balance of examination and coursework. The selection of texts makes the syllabus a suitable option for those considering reading English literature at university.Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level
Course Aims
The syllabus aims to encourage an enjoyment and appreciation of English literature based on informed personal response and to extend this appreciation where it has already been acquired. The students will be provided with an introduction to the traditions of English literature which could include literature from outside the United Kingdom and literature in translation.Entry Requirements
Students embarking on this course are expected to achieve a minimum grade B at GCSE Language and Literature, as the standard of written English required is high. In addition, students are expected to show a high level of understanding of the set texts. Another essential qualification for entrance to an ‘A’ level group is a genuine appreciation of and enthusiasm for literature, as students will be expected to read widely during the course, in addition to their prescribed texts.In the summer, prior to starting the course, a list of suggested reading texts will be given to students. They will be expected to tackle a variety of books in this time, enabling them to make the leap between GCSE and ‘A’ level Literature.
Course Content
The specifications of the new GCSE ‘A’ level and ‘AS’ level provide a flexible model of examination which offers the opportunity for candidates to re-sit units if they wish. The specification provides candidates with the opportunity to study a wide variety of both modern and traditional texts drawn from a range of historical periods between 1370 and the present day.
Students who wish to study English Literature will be able to make maximum use of ‘open text’ examining. There will be the opportunity for creative writing in coursework including oral coursework.
‘A/S’ 50% comprises of three units and may be awarded as a discrete qualification or counts for 50% of the full ‘A’ level.
‘A’ level comprises of six units known as ‘A2’.
In the ‘A/S’ level students will study:
Unit 1 Drama and Poetry
Unit 2 Pre 1900 Prose
Unit 3a Shakespeare in context – coursework or
Unit 3b Shakespeare in context – examination.
Students who continue the course to gain an ‘A’ level will in addition to this study:
Unit 4a Modern Prose - coursework or
Unit 4b Modern Prose – examination
Unit 5 Poetry and Drama
Unit 6 Criticism and Comparison.
Assessment
The examinations for this modular course take place in January and June of each year.The contribution of coursework is marked as 30% for ‘A/S’ level and 30% for A2.
Students will be required to demonstrate an ability to:
- select and use an appropriate form of written style suited to complex subject matter;
- organise relevant material clearly and coherently using specialist vocabulary where appropriate;
- ensure writing is legible, with accurate use of spelling and grammar in order to make meaning clear.
Careers and Higher Educational Opportunities
‘A’ level English Literature is challenging and demanding, but thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating. It is good preparation for study in higher education, and can open doors to a wide range of careers, for example, law, journalism, media, public relations, advertising, human resources, education, information and communications technology, technical authorship.
