A Level English Literature at Ousedale School

The broad aim of the course is to encourage an enjoyment and appreciation of literature, where personal and critical response is extremely important. Students will constantly be asked what they think and feel about a variety of questions, issues and problems which arise from the literature studied. Discussion, in small or large groups, will form the major part of lessons where students will be able to articulate their opinions, argue their ideas as well as being able to challenge the opinions of others, including staff! Material discussed in class will inevitably be of use in the essays which students will be expected to submit on a regular basis.

Reading is an essential part of the English course and students will be expected to spend much of their own time preparing for lessons by reading the set books. In addition, students will undertake to read literature of their own choice. This is especially important as literature helps to open up experience not afforded before; the more the students read, the more competent they become at handling language and the more adept they become at critical analysis. They also become enriched as students of literature.

Successful completion of the Literature course will require a confident and competent grasp of more than just the basic English skills on the part of the candidate. It cannot be stressed strongly enough that the most successful entrants are those who contribute to discussion regularly and who demonstrate a willingness to have their own views examined critically by others. In every other respect, the Literature course opens up a wonderfully rich experience to the keen, interested student.

During the completion of six modules, students are required to make a study of at least one Shakespeare play and in addition are required to study material drawn from a broad time span covering literature of the 1700's to the present day. Currently, Chaucer is a popular choice alongside the novels of Margaret Atwood and the plays of Tenessee Williams. Additional, wide ranging reading is encouraged with a view to improving overall literacy consciousness.

Coursework will account for approximately 30% of the final grade awarded and as such is a wonderful opportunity for the student to exert some degree of control over the final examination outcome. Coursework texts are chosen by the teacher and the student together and are usually selected to complement the set tasks though great flexibility is possible. At least one of the coursework tasks can be used on materials selected entirely by the student working closely with the teacher to shape the resulting piece. This requires concentrated application and a high degree of personal commitment from the student.

The examining body assumes that all students will take steps to make themselves aware of world events through the various media and that, in all respects, they are interested in the total process of communication of knowledge. There is no doubt that a rounded world view can offer a more substantial opportunity for understanding the deeper, more symbolic content of literature.

To supplement their experience of study, all students are given the opportunity to attend conferences on literature, to visit theatre productions of set texts and occasionally to enact their own versions! The English department has access to a substantial body of video resources and makes regular use of leading technologies to deliver as exciting an experience as possible.

All Advanced Level courses are delivered by a highly qualified team of English teachers, which includes moderators with wide experience of practice in other centres. In the past six years, the department has maintained a 100% pass rate for students taking the course; our focus is on attaining the highest grades possible for all students and to this end we provide lots of opportunities for students to consult individually on their progress, during and often after the school day! The growing use of the Internet has provided us with the chance to exploit this medium for research and for the transfer of materials, essays, etc.The increasing importance of independent study is recognised and supported through the library study centre and the promotion of individualise research routines.

English Literature Advanced Level offers more than just a content based course - we offer a way of viewing literature which allows the student to reflect more generally on the influences affecting his or her daily life. In this respect, the course as taught is an excellent preparation for coping with the rigours of college/university or the demands of a work environment where sensitivity to others is an essential component of successful communication and achievement.