ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The GCSE English Language course enables students to develop confident, effective, and precise communication skills across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It fosters creative and imaginative expression, encourages critical engagement with a variety of texts including multi-modal formats, and supports the development of writing through reading. Students gain an understanding of the structures and conventions of English, explore how language variation relates to identity and cultural diversity, and learn to tailor their speech and writing to suit different contexts and audiences.
Scheme of assessment
The assessment will consist of two written external examinations, oral assessments and two written controlled assessments.
Unit 1: Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Texts
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
Unit 3: Studying Spoken and Written Language
Unit 4: Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-fiction Texts.
Career Awareness
Useful for: All Careers.
Essential for: Almost all Careers require GCSE standard.
ENGLISH LITERATURE
The GCSE English Literature course encourages students to become critical readers of prose, drama, and poetry by analysing how language, structure, and form shape meaning. It promotes connecting ideas, themes, and issues across texts, exploring diverse contexts, cultures, and perspectives, and ultimately aims to foster enjoyment and a lifelong appreciation of literature.
Scheme of assessment
Assessment in English Literature consists of two examination papers and a controlled assessment unit.
Unit 1: The Study of Prose (Of Mice and Men)
Unit 2: The Study of Drama (Blood Brothers) and Poetry (Relationships Anthology)
Unit 3: The Study of Shakespeare (Macbeth)
Career Awareness
Useful for: Journalism, Teaching, Law, Social Sciences, Linguistics, Languages, and Business.
Essential for: Normally required for degree courses in English. It is also a compulsory requirement for some courses in Scottish Universities.
Introduction to A Level
The A Level English Literature course encourages students to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of texts and responses, applying advanced literary analysis and evaluation skills. It promotes exploration of textual contexts and interpretations, deepens understanding of literary traditions, and supports independent research and personal expression using appropriate academic language. The course also helps students develop study skills for higher education, demonstrate mastery through rigorous assessments, and cultivate a lifelong interest in English literature.
A LEVEL SUBJECT CONTENT
Unit AS 1: The Study of Poetry 1900–Present (Heaney/Frost) and Drama 1900–Present (Translations)
Unit AS 2: The Study of Prose Pre 1900 (Frankenstein)
Unit A2 1: Shakespearean Genres (King Lear)
Unit A2 2: The Study of Poetry Pre 1900 (Dickinson) and Unseen Poetry
Unit A2 3: Internal Assessment.
Assessment consists of four written external examinations (two at AS and two at A2) and a coursework module completed in Year 14.
KEY FEATURES
Students taking this subject should:
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Enjoy reading and research.
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Be prepared to work independently, to do extensive background reading, and to give personal informed responses to their texts.
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Confirm their suitability for A’ Level with their English teacher.
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Acquire good GCSE grades in English Language/Literature
RECOMMENDED SUBJECT/S AND GRADES AT GCSE
English Language: A
English Literature: B or above
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
There are many jobs where the study of English to A’ Level will be an advantage:
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Advertising
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Marketing and Sales
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Education
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Civil Service
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Health Service
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Local Government
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Journalism
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Library Work
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Legal Work
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Banking
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Secretarial Work
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Personnel
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Commercial jobs
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Insurance Companies
OTHER INFORMATION
A’ Level English Literature helps develop pupils debating skills and the capacity to think analytically and critically.