A LEVEL
English Literature
Exploring voices, ideas, and stories that help us make sense of the world and ourselves.
At St Paul’s, you’ll study writers who shaped history and those who challenge it, from timeless classics to modern works that speak to today.
Discussion, debate and reflection are at the heart of every lesson, helping you develop independence, confidence, and a critical voice of your own.
You’ll leave not just as a reader, but as a thinker and communicator ready to shape the world with words.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
English at St Paul’s taught me to see challenges as opportunities. The support from my teachers gave me the confidence to aim higher than I thought possible.
Why Choose English Literature at St Paul’s?
A passionate department that brings texts to life through discussion, creativity and critical thought.
Smaller classes that encourage debate, collaboration and space for every voice to be heard.
Inspiring teachers who know their students well and nurture both confidence and curiosity.
A community that values individuality, compassion and shared discovery.
A subject that builds skills for life: empathy, analysis, communication and perspective.
Where English Literature Can Take You
Our students go on to study English, creative writing, journalism, law, history, education, and media, or any field where strong communication and analytical thinking make a difference.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
What You’ll Study
You’ll immerse yourself in great writing, exploring how authors use language to shape ideas, emotions, and experiences across time and culture.
English Literature invites you to read deeply, think critically, and develop your own interpretations of some of the most powerful works ever written.
In English Literature, you will study:
Prose:Â studying novels that explore character, theme, and narrative voice.
Drama:Â analysing plays from Shakespeare to modern theatre, and how performance brings text to life.
Poetry:Â exploring form, rhythm, and imagery, and the ways poets challenge and inspire readers.
Critical Analysis and Comparison:Â engaging with context, perspective, and literary theory to develop independent insight.
Full details of the course can be found in the exam board’s official AQA specification.
Along the way, you’ll refine your written expression, interpretative skill, and appreciation for language: qualities that prepare you for a wide range of university courses and careers.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
.......
English Literature Exam Results
...
PASS RATE
...
achieved
A* to C
...
achieved
A* to B
...
achieved
A* to A
Entry Requirements
In addition to our standard entry requirements, a number of our courses have specific entry requirements to ensure you are ready to thrive in the subject. For English Literature, you’ll need:
- Grade 5+ in English Language
- Grade 6+ in English Literature
These requirements are in place to help set you up for success and make sure you have the right foundation to enjoy the challenge of Sixth Form study.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
Hear From Our Students
St Paul’s can’t be compared to any other college. There is a real sense of community, especially in the English Department.
I always feel free to share my opinion and contribute to class discussions as well as learn from not only my teachers, but also my fellow students.
All the teachers are so caring and kind and you never feel like your opinion or view on something does not matter.
As a person who came from an external secondary school, I was nervous about joining the Sixth Form but the English Department especially helped to make me feel welcome and like I belonged.
Mrs E Staffiere
SUBJECT LEADER FOR ENGLISH
Thank you for your interest in English Literature at St Paul’s. We are a dedicated team of teachers who love our subject and the conversations it inspires. Our goal is to help every student find their voice, think deeply, and take joy in reading and discussion.
If you’d like to find out more about studying English Literature, or where it might take you beyond college, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — I’d be very happy to hear from you
Send me a message
We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to talk about subject choices, entry requirements, or your future career ideas.
English LiteratureCourse Content
This course offers students the opportunity to study literature through the lens of historicism and actively promotes independent study of a broad range of texts and wider reading, thus extending students’ experience and appreciation of literature.
| PAPER 1Love Through The Ages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
40% (75 Marks) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
3 Hours |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FORMAT |
Open Book for Section C |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paper 1 is divided into three sections:
- Section A is the study of Shakespeare’s Othello.
- Section B is a comparative task of unseen poetry across time.
- Section C is the study of ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and AQA’s Poetry Anthology, a collection of poems from across time linked by the theme ‘Love and Relationships’.
| PAPER 2Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to the Present Day | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
40% (75 Marks) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FORMAT |
Open Book |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paper 2 is divided into three sections:
- Section A is the study of Skirrid Hill, an anthology of modern poetry by the Welsh writer Owen Sheers. Â
- Section B is the analysis of unseen prose. Â
- Section C is the study of The Handmaid’s Tale – a 1985 dystopian novel by the Booker Prize-winning Canadian writer Margaret Atwood – and Tennessee Williams’ 1955 play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.Â
| OTHERNon-Exam Assessment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WEIGHT |
20% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LENGTH |
2500 Words |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The non-exam assessment (NEA) is an independent critical study of texts across time, and consists of one extended essay and a bibliography.
Are you ready to explore new ideas, challenge perspectives and discover the power of words?
Start your English Literature journey at St Paul’s.
Whatever course you choose, you’ll be joining a community where every student is known and loved. Our mission is not just to help you succeed academically, but to help you grow as a person, supported and celebrated every step of the way.