Course

English Literature

Exam Board

AQA

For more information contact Head of Department:

Ms G Higham - ghigham@stedmunds.org

Brief introduction to subject:

Click here for more information about the course

At A Level students are expected to read widely outside of the classroom. One of the most exciting parts of the course is the opportunity they have to write about two texts of their own choice for their non-examined assessment. In order to make an informed decision, it is vital that students see reading as a leisure pursuit and that they commit to reading varied, high-quality literature texts in their spare time.

A fundamental part of A Level study is the ability to engage critically and creatively with texts and to respond to the ideas of others. It is therefore important that, alongside set texts, students study a wide range of critical theories and essays.

This course has a distinct philosophy which centres on different ways of reading and the connections that exist between texts within a literary genre. In this way, students can gain a solid understanding of how texts can be connected and how they can be interpreted in multiple ways in order that students can arrive at their own interpretations and become confident autonomous readers. Students are then not only equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for exams, but also experience a rich, challenging and coherent approach to English Literature that provides an excellent basis for further study in the subject.

What our students say

"There is such a wide variety of things to discuss – we are always debating our interpretations."

"I love seeing the words on the page come to life when we read them."

"The atmosphere is enjoyable and our teachers know how best to help us achieve our full potential."