English Language A Level AQA

Our Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Thursday 19th November. As this is always a very popular event, we run three separate booking slots throughout the evening to help us accommodate as many families as possible and ensure everyone has the opportunity to visit.

Booking slots will become available from 16th October. We would strongly recommend booking as soon as bookings open, as spaces can fill quickly.

We look forward to welcoming you and giving you the opportunity to find out more about our Sixth Form, meet our staff and students explore the fantastic opportunities available to our students.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Applications Open – 2nd November 2026

Applications Close – 30th June 2027

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The Sixth Form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Applications are currently closed. Please check back at the beginning of November to submit your application.

This course focuses on the English language: its history, changes and application.

This course aims to enable you to:

• analyse both spoken and written language use according to its context
• write for different forms, audiences and purposes
• undertake independent and sustained studies to cater to your interests and develop your skills

A Level English Language provides an engaging and up-to-date course that reflects contemporary language study. With exciting text- and data-based sources of language, the specification introduces the study of English in its various forms and contexts, with the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis of language underpinning all elements of the course. Offering clear skills progression from GCSE, the course allows students to build on the skills already gained and prepare for their next steps.

The variety of assessment styles used, such as data analysis, discursive essays, directed writing, original writing and research-based investigative writing, allows students to develop a wide range of skills. These include critical reading, data analysis, evaluation, the ability to develop and sustain arguments and a number of different writing skills which are invaluable for both further study and future employment.

At A Level, students sit two examinations and submit one coursework assignment:

PAPER 1

Textual variations and

Representations

Children's language development (0 – 11 years)

Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

PAPER 2

Language diversity and change

Language discourses

Writing skills

Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

COURSEWORK

Language investigation

Original writing

Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

We would recommend a grade 6 at GCSE in English Language.

The successful completion of this course will allow you to progress on to a wide range of related higher education courses and could lead you into careers in journalism, marketing and publishing.