English Literature
Exam Board & Specification: AQA A-Level English Literature (7712)
Subject Lead:
Sixth Form Team
What will students study at Key Stage 5?
Year 12: Prose, drama and poetry (pre‑1900/modern) are studied through close analysis, contextual research and critical theory; students begin comparative NEA coursework.
Year 13: They complete core genre cluster(s) and the NEA, refining comparative arguments and unseen analysis under timed conditions.
What do assessments test?
- AO1: Articulate informed responses with textual references
- AO2: Analyse form/structure/language
- AO3: Demonstrate understanding of contexts
- AO4: Explore connections across texts
- AO5: Engage with critical viewpoints
What are the expectations of my child in this subject?
Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.
What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?
Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).
How can I best support my child in this subject?
Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.