Students develop as confident, independent and reflective readers pursuing their interest in literary studies through reading widely, independently and critically. The Literature course provides students with an introduction to the traditions of English Literature, enables them to express responses effectively through speech and writing, develops an awareness of the context in which texts are written and considers other readers’ interpretations of texts. A level students of English  are encouraged to read widely, venture and discuss points of view, form their own opinions of texts, taking due consideration of interpretations of others and considering how interpretations change over time.

Our A-level English Language specification offers opportunities for students to develop their subject expertise by engaging creatively and critically with a wide range of texts and discourses. Students will create texts and reflect critically on their own processes of production, while analysing the texts produced by others. The specification explores the study of English Language both as a medium of communication and as a topic in its own right, with an emphasis on the ability of students to pursue lines of enquiry, debate different views, and work independently to research aspects of language in use. Language is seen as a creative tool for expression and social connection, as well as for individual cognition. The study of language as a symbolic system used to assert power in society is also fundamental to the scope of this specification.