Love Through the Ages: Unseen Poetry Comparison
Love Through the Ages encourages students to explore aspects of a central literary theme as seen over time, using unseen material and set texts. Students hone the skills they have developed for poetry analysis and comparison whilst studying other texts last year, to enable them to evaluate and compare a pair of unseen poems in detail. Context focuses more closely on the typicality of representations seen in love poems. Following benchmark assessment in Year 12 summer exams, 1 practice exam question in November trial exams; practice questions and essay exercises in lessons throughout the year.
Modern Texts: Unseen Prose Evaluation
Modern Texts aims to encourage students to explore aspects of literature connected through a period of time, from 1945 onwards. Following their study of a Twentieth Century play and a Twentieth Century classic novel, students examine a variety of extracts from modern novels they have not studied in depth, to evaluate how writers present similar issues and themes to those seen in set texts. One practice exam question on November trial exams. Ongoing practice and skills development during study, plus additional practice assessments in lesson as needed.
Modern Texts: Modern Poetry Study (may be commenced early in year 12)
Following their study other pre-9900 poems and other modern Literature, students study a collection of modern poems by a single writer, written post 2000: in addition to skills honed in other units they consider the development and placement of themes and perspectives in the collection, as a whole and in parts. One practice exam question on November trial exams. Ongoing practice and skills development during study, plus additional practice assessments in lesson as needed.
NEA (Coursework)
NEA enables students to delve further into a pair of texts of specific interest to them, exploring themes, ideas, contexts and readings. Having researched and explored chosen texts over the summer, students draft and present their NEA coursework essay, closely monitored by teaching staff, for the first half term from September. Each student has an English ‘tutor’ who gives them detailed feedback once each week; there are also 2 further lessons a week working on essays, with English staff available for further general questions. Draft of NEA is given feedback in October; students then improve their work at home for final submission in December. Marks are submitted to the exam board in March; students are allowed to know their mark prior to submission in case of appeal.
Revision of Set Texts studied in Year 12: Love Through the Ages and Modern Texts
Students re-visit and revise all set texts from year 12, exploring meanings at a deeper level. In particular, critical and alternative interpretations of these texts are explored. Complete Paper 1 or 2 in November trial exams, depending on performance in Year 12 exam questions. Complete Paper 1 or 2 in March trial exams: the alternative from the November exams is attempted. Ongoing practice assessments in lessons as needed. Students are also encouraged to attempt questions at home, for evaluation and feedback by class teachers.