English Language - A Level

Applications Open: 3 November 2025 at 9.00am

Applications Close: 31 January 2026 at 5.00pm

Entry Requirements: At least five GCSE's at grade 4 or above. In addition, you will need to achieve specific subject entry requirements for all subjects.

How to Apply - September 2026 entry

Applications will open on Applicaa on 3 November 2025. Please refer to our Course Guide which lists subjects available along with entry criteria - this can be found on our website under Sixth Form Admissions along with our Admissions Policy. Please note our Course Guide for 2025 entry is currently displayed, Course Guide for 2026 will be available shortly.

If you need advice on Sixth Form courses or completing an application, please email sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk or phone 01892 527444.

When applying students MUST enter three subject choices PLUS a reserve - in preference order - one being first choice and four being the reserve.
Please do not enter a fifth choice. Please note some subjects cannot be studied together - these are indicated on the relevant subject page and also in the Course Guide.

Internal Applicants to Sixth Form (current St Gregory’s students)

Our current students will join a Sixth Form Taster Day in September 2025, this is an opportunity to experience Sixth Form subjects and lessons.

All students will receive ongoing support and guidance with the online application process through discussions with dedicated members of staff, subject leaders and members of the Sixth Form team. Students will also receive a session with an external Careers Advisor.

External Applicants to Sixth Form

External applicants will be required to submit their applications via Applicaa using the link provided on the school website on 3 November 2026.

External applicants will also need to complete a Sixth Form Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if they are Catholic or 'Looked After' children. This can be found on the school website under Learn/Sixth Form/Sixth Form Admissions - Supplementary Information Form 2025-26. This must be returned to sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk by the closing date.

Prospective students may be invited into school for a meeting with the Sixth Form team.

Students will study the English Language, its variety and history and will acquire the terminology, concepts and methodology in order to understand language and investigate it. They will develop skills as a producer and interpreter of language.

Students will study how language varies according to mode, field, function and audience, and how language choices create personal identities. Children’s acquisition of spoken and written language is examined along with appropriate theories of language development.

Students will develop their research and investigation skills, and undertake their own research. They will demonstrate their own skills as writers, crafting texts for different audiences/purposes for their coursework; they will reflect on their writing in an accompanying commentary.

Independent study commitment:

Wide reading plus five hours per week minimum.

A combination of classroom study, self study and enrichment activities.

GCSE: 6 in English Language

English Language cannot be studied alongside English Literature

Why study English Language?

There are many reasons but above all, students will become aware of the written language and the spoken English that surrounds them, the myths about it and the constantly changing nature of both written and spoken English language.