English Language and Literature (IB)

Applications Open - 10th November 2025

Applications Close - 27th February 2026

Entry Requirements - Please refer to the Sixth Form Course Directory via the website www.knoleacademy.org

Option blocks and detailed subject information can be found in our course directory https://www.knoleacademy.org/3569/information-for-students-applying-for-september-2025

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices

PLEASE NOTE WHEN SELECTING COURSES THERE ARE FOUR POSSIBLE PATHWAYS

Vocational pathway - Select minimum of 3 vocational subjects

IBCP pathway - Select minimum 1 vocational and minimum 2 IB subjects

IBDP pathway - Select only the IBDP option from Block E. We will contact you about subject options

Level 2 pathway -Select either Culinary Skills or Hairdressing

English enables students to become critical readers and thinkers, engaging in ongoing analysis and discussions of important worldwide themes. Regardless of what you want to study after Sixth Form, English provides you with the skills to critically read, respond to, and produce texts. Studying English improves open-mindedness, intercultural understanding and communication, all crucial in our modern world.

The IB emphasises the importance of critical thinking, reflection, and understanding of culture. English Language and Literature develops these mindsets through close reading of texts, being able to relate a text to its form, genre, audience, and context of production, and reading texts from a variety of sources all around the globe.

As English creates skilled communicators, critical thinkers and empathetic team workers, the skills and habits developed in this course are relevant across a huge variety of sectors. English a is a perfect complementary subject for any career path.

The course explores both non-literary and literary texts; each of these investigates:

Reader, Writers and Texts

• This study includes the investigation of how texts themselves operate as well as the contexts and complexities of production and reception. Focus is on the development of personal and critical responses to the particulars of communication.

Time and Space

• Study focuses on the contexts of language use and the variety of ways literary and non-literary texts might both reflect and shape society at large.

Intertextuality: connecting texts

• Study focuses on intertextual relationships with possibilities to explore various topics, thematic concerns, generic conventions, modes or literary traditions that have been introduced throughout the course.

This course is assessed through a variety of written and oral communications, through oral commentary, essays and exams.

Component 1: Guided Textual Analysis (Examination, 2 hours 15 minutes)

Component 2: Comparative Essay (Examination, 1 hour 45 minutes) *not being assessed for Summer 2022

Component 3: The Individual Oral (Internal Assessment, 10 minutes presentation, 5 minutes questioning)

Component 4: A Higher Level Essay 1200 - 1500 words

Throughout the course students are also required to complete a Learner Portfolio in which they maintain a collection of their work, provide evidence of their processes in completing work and preparing for assessed elements and reflect on the concepts and ideas they have explored.

Minimum of five 9-5 grades in GCSE examinations including English and Maths, with a grade 6 in English.

See Careers Leader for more information.

Future courses & possible careers:

• Journalism
• Law
• Publishing
• Media
• Teaching
• Advertising
• Public Relations