A/S-Levels and A-Levels

At A/S- and A-Level the English Department offers three courses: English Language, English Literature and Media Studies.

English Language

English Language is a varied and fascinating course, popular with our Sixth Form students. The course covers the nature, history, variety and use of the English language, looking at such topics as how different social groups use English differently, what conversational strategies we use to get what we want and how children learn language. Students are also taught to analyse language of any kind in a scientific way, using such analytical frameworks (tools) as grammar, sound, spelling, style/layout, meaning and word choice.
We follow the AQA Specification A English Language syllabus. 30% of the course is assessed by coursework.
 

Take this course if:

• you enjoy working things out
• you're the kind of person who asks "why?"
• you want a course where you think for yourself
• you can work independently
• you are interested in words and meanings

Don't take this course if:

• you're considering it because you like writing stories/poetry etc
• you think it will be easy or unscientific
• you want a subject you can learn and regurgitate
• your own use of English is poor

English Literature

English Literature is another popular course, taking further the studies begun at GCSE, and looking at a variety of texts from the canon of English Literature. Students will read, consider and discuss texts such 'Othello', 'Frankenstein', Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', The Gothic Tradition, the poetry of Wordsworth and 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin'. The course looks at meanings and interpretations of the texts studied, and explores authorial intentions, influences and techniques.
We follow the OCR English Literature syllabus. 30% of the course is assessed by coursework.
 

Take this course if:

• you enjoy reading
• your enjoyment of a text is enhanced by understanding it in depth
• you have opinions and like discussing them
• you enjoy considering alternative possibilities/ideas
• you want a course where your ideas are important

Don't take this course if:

• you don't read for pleasure
• you don't enjoy analysing what you read
• you think it will be easy or vague
• you can't write essays

Media Studies

Media Studies is a new and exciting course with a large number of students choosing to study it. The course looks at the ideas behind and techniques used in modern media texts, such as television, film and newspapers.
We follow the AQA Media Studies syllabus. 30% of the couse is assessed by coursework.
 

Take this course if:

• you are interested in the film, advertising and journalism
• your enjoyment of a text is enhanced by understanding it in depth
• you have opinions and like discussing them
• you want a course where your ideas are important

Don't take this course if:

• you are not interested in analysis of media texts
• you don't enjoy picking thigs to pieces
• you think it will be easy, vague and non-theoretical
• you can't write essays