English Literature

The study of English at Kent College is the story of a student’s growing appreciation of the huge influence of language: its impact on our thinking, feeling and actions. We teach students how to use language both creatively and responsibly, taking into account the purpose of their writing and its intended audience.

The story begins with helping students to establish a love for reading. Prepared with this essential, the student is invited to explore new and familiar genres, styles, forms and structures. It is central to our ethos that we do not simply prepare students for their GCSEs or A Levels, but equip them with an understanding of how to express ideas in ways that will motivate, inspire, challenge and ultimately change the minds of their readers.

The A Level Course: In-Depth Study

At Kent College, we follow EDEXCEL’s syllabus for A level English Literature (9ET0).

We chose EDEXCEL because it allows candidates to write about the four main literary genres individually, rather than, as in previous years, requiring them to compare texts from different genres and periods.The syllabus is made up of four components:

Paper 1 (9ET0/01) – Drama. Examination 2 hours and 15 minutes

In this paper, candidates are required to write two essays, one on a Shakespeare play, one on another play. There is no element of comparison. In addition, they are required to refer to an anthology of critical material compiled by the exam board which includes essays on the set Shakespeare plays.30% 

Paper 2 (9ET0/02) – Prose 1 hourIn this paper, candidates are required to write one comparative essay on two novels. One novel must be taken from the pre-19th century selection. 20%

Paper 3 (9ET0/03) – Poetry 2 hours 15 minutes

In this paper, candidates are required to compare an unseen poem with one of a selection of poems they will have studied in class.The second question on the paper asks them to write an essay on the poet/poetic movement they have studied during the course. 30%

Paper 4 (9ET0/04) - Coursework Coursework allows for candidates to work independently. They can write about any well-regarded text or group of texts that they have particularly enjoyed. We will teach these texts but they will be responsible, with guidance, for formulating their own titles. 20%

English Outside the Classroom

All year groups are given opportunities to further their understanding of authors and their work outside of class. Trips to the Globe Theatre and Dickens’ London home, plays, poetry readings and lectures, reading holidays for A Level students in the West Country, and many others, have brought the study of texts alive and placed them in their historical and social contexts.

After school hours, English teachers also offer a variety of subject-based activities such as novel and poetry writing, filmmaking, debating, current events and other discussion groups.