Looking for the old GCSE Revision site? It's here
H
ellesdon High School Sixth Form (a part of the Hellesdon-Taverham Sixth Form Centre) now offers both English Literature and English Language at AS and A2 (EdExcel syllabuses). The choice to do either or both of these depends on the disposition of the student. Literature involves lots of reading and appeals to the more creatively-minded student, while Language is concerned with more functional language analysis, and could appeal to the scientifically- minded student. Both courses, however, provide opportunities for advanced creative writing.
The ethos of the English Department at A Level
actively promotes independent learning and research, and this site is part of that programme by facilitating learning and enabling research, but without students feeling all at sea. We provide on this site old papers for practice along with their mark schemes (though not the most recent, to allow schools to set them as mocks), worksheets (where copyright allows), texts (ditto), helpsheets, links and glossaries. [Note: should anyone viewing our material believe it to have been used without proper permission or in breach of GNU or other public licences please report it to the address at the bottom of the page, and we will look into removing it].
Language
the astonishing interdisciplinary nature of linguistics
Language at Sixth Form, is a heady mixture of Linguistics, Philology and Creative Writing. It is not in any sense the "easy option" for studying English at A Level, but develops rigorous skills for analysing the use of language..
There are four units across the two years, two examined (counting 60% of the marks for each year) and two coursework units (40% of the total marks). More of a science than Literature, Language requires the learning of a bank of terminology which allows students to conduct precise analysis of language, building on the Spoken Word unit of the new GCSE English Language. For the AS exam you will be expected to analyse both spoken and written speech according to linguistic conventions .
The Department provides each student with the examiners' textbook, Edexcel AS English Language: Student Book by Alison Ross, though it is recommended that students buy their own copy. Grammar and rhetoric are also taught as strategies on the course. As in Literature, there is a strong emphasis on the Sixth Form's Independent Learning Initiative (INI), and students are encouraged to contribute independent research and projects to this site.
Literature
Literature at Sixth Form typically attracts avid readers and those who wish to develop the kind of editing skills which will serve them as researchers, journalists and members of other professions where abilities of close reading and precise professional writing count. The full course has four units.
At AS there are two, one examined. The first (counting 60% of AS marks and 30% of the A Level) is Explorations in Prose and Poetry, comprising texts from 1800-1945, and an unseen with short-answer responses. The coursework content of Unit 2 (40%/20%) includes an essay on Shakespeare play and another drama from 1300 to 1800; students write an explorative study and a creative critical response.
The examination at A2 (60%/30%) features three prescribed texts, both prose and poetry, plus an unseen, while Unit 4, Reflections in Literary Studies (40%/20%) features a free choice of texts and a coursework essay of no more than 3,000 words.
Both AS and A2 students are encouraged to contribute their own research work and projects to this site as part of the Sixth Form's Independent Learning Initiative (INI).
All you need to know to succeed in these subjects
Our Sixth Form is known for its caring and comprehensive pastoral system, while the Deparment operates an "open door" policy regarding teacher support. Students are welcome to approach teachers for extra help by email or in person at suitable times, and parents may make appointments with teachers outside Parents' Evenings to discuss students' progress.
Below and in the bottom menu you will find links which will enable you to understand the specifications and curriculum of each subject, catch up with the work if you have been away, or even get the drop on your teacher by knowing more than them! Note that where the links are not to other sites they are in pdf, some of which are large.
Diagram of character interactivity in King Lear (courtesy of W. Xavier Snelgrove)
The two specifications (including both AS and A2 are available below. Previous papers and other help are available from the bottom menu.
Specification for English Language
Specification for English Literature
the astonishing interdisciplinary nature of linguistics