English Literature

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

Essential skills

Students are expected to make active contributions to the lessons having read widely and thought critically about texts studied. A highly developed personal response based on a secure and detailed knowledge of literary features is the key to success in this course.

Year 1

This two-year course is designed to ensure breadth and depth. Students will study a wide range of poetry, prose and drama from 1300 to the present day. They will be encouraged to make connections and comparisons between texts and to investigate the contexts in which the texts were written and received. This allows students to consider contemporary critical writing and to develop independence.

In Year 12 students will study poetic form, content and meaning in preparation for responding to an unseen poem and extend their understanding of the concerns and choices of modern-day poets. They will also study aspects of drama via one play, exploring the use of literary and dramatic devices and how playwrights shape meaning.

Students will study aspects of prose via two thematically linked texts. They will explore links and connections between them and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Year 2

Students will study aspects of drama via two plays, including one by Shakespeare. They will also study a range of poetry, from the established literary canon through to the present day. They will study a selection of poetry from a specified poetry collection.

Coursework will be assessed via two texts. Both texts are enhanced by the study of the links and connections between them, different interpretations and the contexts in which they were written and received.

Year 1

Assessment is by examination.

Year 2

Assessment is by external examination (80%) and coursework (20%).

Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in GCSE English Literature

University requirements

There are a wealth of universities offering English courses. These are some of the typical requirements: Cambridge A*A*A, UCL AAA, Bristol AAA- these are part of the Russell group. Royal Holloway AAB.

Links to Further Education

English, or any other Arts or Science subject: Linguistics; English or American Literature; Joint Honours, English with a variety of subjects; English with a foreign language; Applied English studies; Contemporary English; English Education; English Teaching; Creative Writing; English and Drama

Links to Careers

Business Management; Civil Servant; Law; Politics; Writer; Journalism—postgraduate; Editor; Teacher; Author; Sales or Marketing; Copywriter; Screenwriter