English Literature

Year 12 – 13

English Literature

Key Stage: KS5

Exam Board: Edexcel

Qualification Gained: A Level English Literature

Assessment Breakdown:

A-Level English Literature (Edexcel) is assessed through:

• Three written examinations
• One coursework essay (Non-Exam Assessment) 

Coursework enables students to produce an independently researched comparative essay of 2,500–3,000 words, applying critical theory and personal interpretation.

Entry Requirements: TBC

Our students explore a diverse body of texts through our curriculum to build their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Literature. Through this, they become confident, independent thinkers who can communicate effectively in preparation for the wider world.

The Key Stage 5 English Literature curriculum develops articulate, critical and reflective readers through the study of a rich selection of prose, drama and poetry. Students engage with texts from across time, culture and genre — such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Othello, A Streetcar Named Desire, Christina Rossetti’s poetry and Poems of the Decade. These works expose students to enduring themes of power, identity, society, morality and the human condition.

Our curriculum builds on the knowledge students acquire through Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, forming a coherent and academically rigorous pathway. Students learn to:

• Develop sophisticated literary interpretations
• Apply critical theory and conceptual analysis
• Explore authorial craft, genre and structure
• Evaluate multiple viewpoints and interpretations
• Express ideas through precise, coherent academic writing

The course is deliberately sequenced to move from historical texts to more modern works, enabling students to understand shifts in literary tradition and contextual influence. Students progressively strengthen their evaluative skills, essay craft, and intellectual independence. Coursework offers further opportunity for personal inquiry, allowing learners to pursue an area of literature that interests and inspires them.

By the end of the A-Level course, students not only appreciate the richness and relevance of Literature but also communicate with maturity, confidence and scholarly insight.

Year-by-Year Curriculum

Year 12

Module 1 & 2: Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Prose) and Othello (Drama)
Foundational study of literary form, tragedy, character, narrative structure and context.

Module 3 & 4: A Thousand Splendid Suns (Prose) and A Streetcar Named Desire (Drama)
Exploration of modern texts, identity, conflict, gender and cultural representation.

Module 5 & 6: Coursework
Independent research, comparative reading and introduction to critical theory.

Year 13

Module 1 & 2: Poems of the Decade, Unseen Poetry & Christina Rossetti
Thematic comparison, poetic craft, interpretation and unseen analysis.

Module 3:
Revisiting Poems of the Decade, Unseen Poetry + Revision of Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Module 4:
Revision of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Rossetti and Poems of the Decade.
Final preparation for Papers 1, 2 and 3.

Skills Gained

Students develop a sophisticated academic skill set, including:

• Critical analysis and conceptual thinking
• Comparative interpretation
• Application of literary theory
• Academic and extended essay writing
• Research and independent inquiry
• Evaluative and reflective thinking
• Articulate, confident communication

These skills are highly valued in humanities, social sciences, law, journalism, education and beyond.

Partnerships & Enrichment

Students enhance their understanding through meaningful enrichment experiences such as:

• Theatre visits and live Shakespeare performances
• Poetry workshops and writing masterclasses
• University taster sessions and lectures
• Access to the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge
• Independent research support for coursework
• HA Literacy 100 reading programme

These experiences strengthen confidence, broaden cultural understanding and deepen students’ appreciation of Literature.

Potential Careers

Studying A-Level English Literature supports progression into fields such as:

Law and Solicitorships  |  Journalism and Publishing  |  Teaching and Academia  |  Creative Writing and Communications  |  Media and Cultural Industries  |  Marketing, PR and Advertising  |  Civil Service and Policy  |  Arts, Heritage and Museum Curation

English Literature is one of the strongest facilitators of critical thinking, argumentation and communication – skills sought after in virtually every professional sector.