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English Literature A Level (Edexcel)

Folkestone Academy

Academy Lane, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5FP

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Languages, Literature and Culture

Available start dates

Available start dates

Saturday, 05 September 2026
Turner Sixth Form / Folkestone Academy/Turner Free School
2 Year(s)
Full time
A Block

Application Instructions

Applications Open - Awaiting information from school

Applications Close - Awaiting information from school

Entry Requirements - Minimum 4 grades in English and Maths with specific criteria depending on subject choice

How to Apply -

External applicants - Please apply via Kent choices on the T6 - Turner Sixth Form Page - which can be found here

Internal applicants - if you are already a pupil within the Turner Schools Trust you will be able to access our application form on our website.

Please ensure you add three courses in total to your application. (You are only able to choose one subject from each block). Please remember Sport Academy's are an added extra to your three chosen subjects.

Need help? Please see your school’s careers advisor if you are unsure how to apply. If you are unable to do so, please contact the Folkestone Academy for further advice on 01303 842400 or email pippa.ohanlon@turnerschools.com

Course Summary

The study of literature rests upon reading texts within a shared context. Working from the belief that no text exists in isolation but is the product of the time in which it was produced, this course encourages you to explore the relationships that exist between texts and the contexts within which they are written, received and understood.

Studying texts within a shared context will enable you to investigate and connect them, drawing out patterns of similarity and difference using a variety of reading strategies and perspectives. Whilst the course invites a variety of written response types, these will all encourage critical debate.

In each task, you will be required to argue and to show personal responses and critical preferences, supported by the terminology relevant to the topics and contexts with which you are engaging. The Literature studied throughout this course

covers a wide range of texts from both the Literary Canon and texts that are more contemporary and diverse.


Course Details

Component 1: Drama

Title - Tragedy: Hamlet by William Shakespeare and A Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Weighting 30%

Assessment Written examination (2hr 15mins)

– externally assessed

Unit Component 2: Prose

Title - Science and Society: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Weighting 20%

Assessment Written examination (1hr 15 mins)

– externally assessed

Unit Component 3: Poetry

Title- A study of a range of Romantic poets and their poems

A study of a range of modern Poems of the Decade

Weighting 30%

Assessment Written examination (2hr 15mins) - externally assessed

Unit Component 4: Coursework

Title- A critical comparison of 2 texts

Weighting 20%

Assessment One extended essay comparing two texts

(2500-3000) words - internally assessed

How will it be delivered and assessed?

This course comprises four units, all of which are mandatory and three of which are assessed externally.

Entry requirements

GCSE at Grade 6 in English or English literature.

Your next steps...

English Literature not only equips you with the knowledge and skills needed for both exams and non exam assessment, but also opens up a rich, challenging and coherent approach to English literature that provides an excellent basis for studying the subject at university. It can be a valuable contrast to scientific, technological and economics based subjects, opening up greater breadth of interest, range of reference and facility with ideas and language. It is welcomed as a qualification for many careers.

Additional information


For more courses like this, check our courses page.