ENGLISH & SOCIAL SCIENCES
A-LEVEL
ENGLISH LITERATURE
& LANGUAGE
REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
3 To have the opportunity to discuss your own views on
literature as well as listen to those of others.
3 To develop your knowledge of literary texts from different
genres and periods.
3 To improve your understanding of the social and historical
contexts in which texts are produced.
3 To develop a wide variety of skills that are highly regarded by
both employers and universities.
A-LEVEL
PHILOSOPHY
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
‘The Great Gatsby’, Philip Larkin’s ‘The Whitsun Weddings’,
Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’ as well as screenplays, letters,
diaries, travel writing and journalism from an Anthology. Social
and historical contexts of texts produced in contemporary
society, post WW2 Britain and America and early 20th century
America. You will learn to express yourself creatively in your
writing inspired by reading novels such as Suzanne Collins’ ‘The
Hunger Games’ and George Orwell’s ‘1984’.
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Year 1 (AS) - exam
Year 2 (A-Level) - 20% coursework, 80% exam.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE
• a minimum GCSE grade 4 in both English Language and
English Literature
• willingness to read new and challenging texts, learn new
terminology and analyse writers’ techniques
• willingness to work and read independently
• ability to write essays, expressing your ideas clearly and
logically
• willingness to take part in discussion and formal presentations
PROGRESSION
English Language and Literature prepares you for careers that
require good communication skills such as publishing, public
relations, marketing, journalism, media, management, the legal
profession, teaching and many others. It is highly regarded by all
leading universities.
REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
3 At AS you will consider the big questions, such as, ‘What is
knowledge?’ and ‘What do good, bad, right and wrong really
mean?’
3 A-Level students will explore further questions including ‘Is
the concept of God incoherent?’ and ‘What is mind?’.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
The AS Philosophy course will ask you to study Epistemology
(the theory of knowledge) and Ethics. At A-Level, students look
at areas that explore the Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of
Religion. You will develop your knowledge of the most profound
areas of human thought and will possess abilities to discuss,
and critically evaluate the most complex ideas in both verbal
and written formats.
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Three-hour exam at both AS and A-Level, mixture of short and
long essay question answers.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE
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self motivation
ability to work independently
enthusiasm for philosophy
ability to think conceptually and to grasp complex ideas
high level writing skills
ability to read and understand challenging texts
English GCSE grade 5 or above, average GCSE grade of 6 or
above
PROGRESSION
Philosophy is a highly-regarded subject that will strongly support
university applications. Careers in teaching, public services,
science, caring professions and jobs in the private sector.
PRIESTLEY EXTRA
Studying English Language and Literature will give you
opportunities to attend theatre performances and conferences
as well as join us on residential visits. You can also join the
Creative Writing group and college magazine.
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PRIESTLEY EXTRA
Annual opportunity to visit a student Philosophy conference
led by the prestigious couple Dr. Peter and Charlotte Vardy.