The Sixth Form at Malton - Prospectus

ENGLISH LITERATURE
A LEVEL
Different perspectives, knowledge beyond the contemporary context, lessons for the future, writings from the past, creativity
beyond limitations, freedom of expression, themes that challenge, and skills for lifelong achievement. What more could you want
from a subject? AQA English Literature focuses on the way texts are constructed, analysing how style and language is used to
convey meaning. Students will study and compare a variety of set texts. Class time will be spent on active tasks such as discussions
to build on the reading and preparation students will have done in advance. In addition, they will craft discursive essays and
research-based investigations.
We run an exciting programme of extra-curricular activities and trips from theatre trips across the county to residential workshops
at the Globe Theatre in London. We have strong links with York University for coursework research and the Ryedale Book Festival
for seminars with professional writers (fiction and non-fiction).
Course Requirements: N/A
Equipment:
Copies of set texts.
Skills:
The most successful literature students are ones who have
enquiring minds and are committed to developing their
analytical skills across a range of texts. Students must be
prepared to read widely and, wherever possible, broaden
their exposure to language and literature by attending
performances, listening to radio broadcasts and visiting the
cinema.
Assessment:
At A level, there are two examined units:
Love Through the Ages (exam, 40%) - ‘The Taming of the
Shrew’ - Shakespeare, ‘The Great Gatsby’ - Fitzgerald, AQA
Poetry anthology: Love through the Ages.
Texts in Shared Contexts (exam, 40%) - ‘The Handmaid’s
Tale’ - Atwood, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ - Williams, ‘Skirrid
Hill’ - Sheers.
20% is decided by non-exam assessment (‘Independent
Critical Study: Texts Across Time’).
Future Prospects:
We have had a high number of students choosing to pursue
their love of English at university, often at prestigious
institutions. A level English opens up many possibilities
post-18 because of the analytical, writing and oral skills you
have gained. Successful English students typically embark
on a variety of career paths, most popular are those linked
to law, media, drama, journalism and education. However,
choosing A level English Literature is an excellent academic
route to almost all avenues of university study as it counts as
a facilitating subject. Even for scientific routes like medicine
English Literature can be a useful third subject as you will
be expected to write extended essays, reflective pieces and
scientific papers at medical school. A level English Literature
also teaches students to critically analyse texts and formulate
complex arguments, both of which are required by a number
of subjects at university.
What Do Our Students Say:
“My success in English simply wouldn’t have been possible
without the support I received from the English Department
staff. From the early years at Malton School which helped
to get me excited about the field to A level which focused
on the complexities and challenges involved in the subject,
the teachers continually challenged us to think independently
and provided constructive feedback on ways in which we
could improve.”
A former student who is now reading English Literature at
university.
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