English Literature
Specification: AQA, Spec A
The Course
The course is based on the themes of ‘Love Through the Ages’ and 'Modern Times' - literature from 1945 to the present day.
You will study a range of novels, plays and poems on the two themes. Lessons are mainly spent in discussion of texts. You will need to make notes in lessons. In pairs or small groups, you will also make presentations on elements of texts. Lesson time will also be spent dealing with how to write successful essays. There will be some essay practice. Individual support will be provided where required, especially with coursework in Year 13. This may sometimes necessitate seeing the teacher outside lesson time.
Private study will involve reading and annotating the set texts; writing up notes; preparing presentations; writing practice essays and preparing and writing coursework.
The KS5 English Curriculum Plans for 2025-26 can be found at the bottom of the page.
Skills
We do not expect you to come to us with a full and complete skill set, but we need you to be willing to work at developing your skills and experience in the areas below:
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To read, annotate and make detailed notes on set texts.
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To write analytically and imaginatively about your set texts, both under time pressure and over time in Year 13 (for the coursework).
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Literacy
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Discussion and sharing your ideas
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Participating in theatre visits.
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Undertaking reading beyond the limits of the set texts.
Examinations
Paper 1: 3 hours, 40% of the A Level.
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Section A: Shakespeare - one passage based question with linked essay (25 marks)
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Section B: Unseen poetry - compulsory essay question on two unseen poems (25 marks)
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Section C: Comparing texts - one essay question linking two texts (25 marks) (open book)
Core texts:
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Shakespeare 'Othello'
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Ian McEwan 'Atonement'
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Poetry Anthology: love poetry through the ages.
Paper 2: 2 hours, 30 minutes, 40% of A Level (open book exam).
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Texts in shared contexts: Modern times: Literature from 1945 to the present day
Core texts:
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Tennessee Williams "A Streetcar Named Desire"
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Margaret Atwood "The Handmaids Tale'"
- Carol Ann Duffy "Feminine Gospels' poetry
One coursework essay of 2,500 words (worth 20% of A Level) based on the study of two novels or plays, which will be comprised using a drafting process.
Enrichment
We aim to run theatre trips during the course; how many will depend on the availability of suitable productions. Where possible, we invite professors and lecturers in from universities to deliver expert content and alternatively, we seek to identify opportunities for us to visit universities offering English courses.
For further details, please contact Mrs Lane, Head of English.
All current plans for sixth form programmes of study at Bishop Stopford School are provisional, dependent on student numbers and government policy.