English Literature

Students engage critically with a wide range of literature poetry, a modern prose novel, a modern drama text and a literary-heritage text (e.g., Shakespeare or 19th-century).

They learn to analyse how writers shape meaning through language, form and structure, compare poems and texts, and explore how interpretation is influenced by context.

The programme integrates unseen poetry, anthology comparison, and extended literary essays to build the stamina and technique required for advanced study.

Component 1: Poetry & Modern Prose

• Unseen Poetry: analytical response to a poem not previously studied commenting on imagery, voice, form, structure and effect, supported by close quotation.
• Anthology Poetry (comparison): comparative essay on two anthology poems, evaluating themes, viewpoint and methods.
• Modern Prose: study of one novel (e.g., Of Mice and Men, The Whale Rider, etc.), with extended analytical writing on characterisation, narrative perspective, setting and structural shaping of meaning.

Component 2: Modern Drama & Literary Heritage

• Modern Drama: one contemporary play analysis of dialogue, staging, dramatic structure and irony; consideration of performance choices.
• Literary Heritage: one canonical text (e.g., Shakespeare/19th-century prose), situating interpretation within relevant social and literary contexts and conventions.

• Paper 1: Poetry & Modern Prose — 60%, 2 hours
• Paper 2: Modern Drama & Literary Heritage — 40%, 1 hour 45 minutes

(Compulsory)

English Literature is compulsory at KS4 and enriches students' cultural understanding, empathy, and critical-thinking. It trains close reading, comparative analysis, and sustained argument skills that support success across the curriculum.

• A-level English Literature / English Language
• Strong foundation for humanities, law, journalism, education, arts, and any pathway that values nuanced analysis and advanced written expression.