English Literature

Students will need to demonstrate an ability to study at least 3 A-level subjects by achieving an average of 38 points over 8 GCSEs with a Grade 4 at least in English and Mathematics. Students should gain a Grade 6 or above in subjects they wish to study at A Level. Points are worked out on the bases that a Grade 9 = 9 points, Grade 8 = 8 points etc.

Please check for subject specific requirements.

Please note, our preferred method of application is via https://wymondhamhigh.applicaa.com/year12

The joy of studying English Literature is that you can step into other worlds, gain an understanding of the human condition and explore experiences that would otherwise be beyond your reach. At the same time, you will learn how to handle complex ideas, enjoy interpretation and gain valuable analysis, planning and research skills.

Throughout the course you will be studying great literature in a dynamic and active manner – reading, responding, discussing, and evaluating the prose, poetry, and drama you read.

We have chosen a really interesting and diverse specification which has genre at its core.

In year 12 you will focus on the genre of tragedy. You will learn about its origins in ancient Greek and explore how writers have continued to be drawn to the tragic right up to the 21st century. You will explore how writers such as Shakespeare, Arthur Miller and Thomas Hardy use language and dramatic devices to express big ideas about death, betrayal, innocence, God, sex, catharsis and much more.

In year 13 we shift our focus to the most popular of all genres: crime. You will be exposed to a wide range of writers from the classics such as Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Agatha Christie (Poirot, Miss Marple) through to the American hard-boiled detectives, Scandi noir and some of the interesting sub genres that have emerged such as feminist crime writing, African noir and LGBTQ detective fiction. Set texts are When Will There Be Good News, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and The Rime of The Ancient Mariner.

The NEA (coursework) element of the course gives you a lot of freedom and the opportunity to respond to texts of your own choice and literary theory in a variety of ways, including creative fiction writing and journalistic writing.

A minimum of a grade 6 in English Literature at GCSE

The need for concision in the written word, twinned with the need for a keen analytical brain means that there are many different routes for the English Literature student with highly transferable skills. A good A-level pass in English would enable you to apply with confidence in careers such as publishing, the civil service, journalism, law, marketing, PR, games writing, policy development, content producing and teaching.