Specification:

Edexcel

Qualification type:

A Level

Entry criteria (GCSE grades):

5 in English Literature and a 5 in English Language

Subject description:

A Level English Literature at our school follows the Edexcel specification and offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with a broad and challenging range of literary texts. This course is designed to develop analytical thinking, interpretive skills, and an appreciation of literary tradition and innovation across genres and time periods. Students will explore how writers shape meaning, how texts reflect the societies in which they were written, and how literature connects across contexts and generations.

Units studied:

Component 1:  Drama (30%)

Students study one Shakespeare play and one other dramatic work. They explore dramatic conventions, characterisation, themes, and the social and historical contexts in which the plays were written and received.
Texts often include: Othello or Hamlet and a modern drama such as A Streetcar Named Desire.
Assessment: Closed book examination.

Component 2:  Prose (20%)

This component involves the comparative study of two prose texts, at least one of which is pre-1900. The focus is on a specific theme, such as Science and Society, Women and Society, or The Supernatural.
Texts might include: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Assessment: Open book examination.

Component 3:  Poetry (30%)

Students study a range of poetry from both a specified modern anthology and a named poet from a particular literary period. Analysis focuses on poetic form, language, and meaning, as well as wider contextual influences.
Texts often include: Poems of the Decade and a selection from a poet such as John Keats or Christina Rossetti.
Assessment: Open book examination.

Component 4: Coursework – Prose Study (20%)
Students write a comparative essay (2,500–3,000 words) on two texts - with a comparative question created by students, allowing for independent exploration, critical analysis, and personal engagement with literature.
Assessment: Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Why Study A Level English Literature?
A Level English Literature is a course for students who love reading, thinking critically, and discussing ideas. It encourages a deep understanding of how writers craft their work and how literature reflects and shapes the world. This subject develops a wide range of transferable skills—analytical thinking, coherent argumentation, and precise written expression—that are highly valued by universities and employers. It particularly appeals to students interested in humanities, law, journalism, education, and the creative industries.

Teacher responsible: Ms J Kerslake