English

E M Craig, BA (Head of Department)
Ms H Blakemore, BA
G C Booth, MA
T Pender, BA
Mrs S M Rea, BA
Mrs D E Ruston, BA
P N Telfer, BA
   

Why Study English?
You should study English first and foremost for enjoyment and satisfaction.  Many Sixth Form students simply know, after their experiences with Literature at GCSE level, that this is a subject which they wish to continue to study.

The detailed exploration of a variety of challenging texts will give you fascinating insights into how people saw themselves in previous times, as well as heightening your understanding of how we think, behave, express ourselves and experience life as fellow humans.  You will develop your ability to think imaginatively, reach judgements independently, and to communicate what you think with clear confidence.

English combines excellently with a wide range of other subjects at AS/A2 levels.  Often, students choose to study English alongside other ‘Arts’ subjects such as Art, History or a Modern Language.  However, it is increasingly the case that students seek to ‘balance’ more scientific subjects (e.g. Maths, Physics, Biology) with English.  Such academic breadth, so satisfying to those who have sought it previously, is clearly encouraged within the A-level system.

 
Very many undergraduate courses look favourably on English AS or the full A-level.  Apart from the most obviously related (e.g. English itself), Law, Management, History, social sciences and Medicine are examples of courses which welcome candidates who have coped successfully with this subject.  Careers in advertising, journalism, publishing, public relations, teaching, personnel, management and the media would all also be well supported by English at this level.

What would you study in the Lower Sixth?
There are two Units. These are:

• Coursework (Post 1900 Literature)
• Exam (Poetry and Prose, 1800-1945)

Coursework (40% of total AS level)

You will produce two assignments, dealing with three texts in all. One of these could well involve you writing creatively, in imitation of the style and subject matter of one of the works studied. The other will be a comparison between another two modern works of literature.

One interesting aspect of this coursework is that you will have to read some very recent literature, perhaps even published or performed only within the last couple of years.

Your teachers will give you close guidance, and will ask you to read, research, discuss and write about the texts they have chosen. However, there is also certainly an opportunity for you to write about literature of your choice, if it ‘fits’ in terms of the overall course requirements.


Drama and Poetry Exam (60% of total AS level)

For this exam, you will study:
• A sample of the work of a well known poet
• A novel by a famous novelist

For this Unit, the texts were written longer ago – between 1800 and 1945. The texts chosen are selected from a list prescribed by the exam board (OCR).

As part of your study of these two texts, you will also be introduced to some important ideas put forward by literary critics.

We feel that this is a challenging and thoroughly enjoyable course.  Certainly, we expect students to think for themselves, to be prepared to read a number of extra recommended books, and to produce written work quite regularly.  You don’t have to be a genius, but a good GCSE pass at Grade B or above in your two English related GCSE’s is clearly preferable, as a starting point.


What would you study in the Upper Sixth?
Again there are two Units. These are:

• Coursework (‘Texts in Time’)
• Exam (Drama and Poetry pre-1800)

Coursework (40% of total AS level)

Here you will write about three different kinds of text which are linked by theme, period or genre. Again, your teachers will introduce you to a number of texts, and there will be quite a bit of discussion about the common ‘thread’ between them all.

Eventually, you will be asked to produce a detailed comparison and contrast of some sort between the three texts.

Drama and Poetry pre-1800 Exam (60% of total AS level)

In this Unit you will study in depth:
• A play by Shakespeare
• A play by someone other than Shakespeare, written before 1800
• Some poetry written by a well known poet from before 1800

The exam will set you a task about the selected Shakespeare play, and ask you to compare the other play and the chosen poetry in some way.

A-level Teaching
A-level English is taught at Yarm in groups sufficiently large to offer opportunities for fruitful discussion but small enough to allow students the individual attention they require.  Generally there are two or three separate groups, each working with two specific teachers, though all A-level students are able to draw on the expertise of all members of the Department.  The printed word is, of course, the Department’s principal resource, and the study of texts is frequently enhanced through the use of DVD, audio-visual resources and IT.  Theatre trips, both to local performances and further afield (London or Stratford, for example), are a vital part of our A-level work, and English Department staff and students form the mainstay of the School’s drama production and magazine activities.

 

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