Oundle School
English
Head of Department: Mr T. Bloggs
Read about our 2nd Form Shakespeare day here.
The English department is housed in a former coaching inn and includes a number of well-equipped, attractive classrooms, a computer suite and a drama studio. The subject is part of the core curriculum from 1st to 5th form, and is a popular subject at A Level, attracting approximately 60 pupils per year at AS and A2.
The department is staffed by:
Miss L.V. Burden BA
Mrs J.T. Coles BA
Mr L.V. Court BA
Mr C.A. Davies BA
Mr T. P. Hipperson MA
Mr A.D. Martens BA
Mr B.A.S. Raudnitz BA
Mr A.J.Sherwin MA
Mrs M. K. Smedley BA
Mrs H. Wells MA
Mr N.J.T.Wood MA
Course content
GCSE
We currently follow the Edexcel
IGCSE specification. In preparing for this qualification, pupils study
an Anthology consisting of a range of non-fiction and literary extracts. The
assessment consists of a two hour examination paper, a coursework folder containing
personal and analytical writing, and two further speaking and listening courseworks.
Pupils also follow the Oundle School Literature course which consists of the
detailed study of a wide range of challenging literary texts.
AS
At A level the department follows the OCR specification. For further details of course content, and pattern of assessment, follow this link.
In the first year of Sixth Form study, pupils prepare for three components. The first of these is the detailed study of a Shakespeare play. The second component covers Poetry and Prose, and might include texts such as E.M. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India’, Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and selections of poetry from writers such Robert Browning and William Wordsworth. The final AS component is a coursework folder; in this part of the course pupils are encouraged to take advantage of independent study opportunities and in particular the excellent range of support texts offered by the school library.
A2
Those who continue the subject into the second year of sixth form study will prepare for three further components. The first of these is a Poetry and Drama paper, which might include texts such as Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’, Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ or Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’. There is a further coursework component at this stage, focusing upon post-1914 prose. The final component is the synoptic element of the course, and invites pupils to study an aspect of literature such as The Gothic Tradition or The Writing of the Romantic Era.
AEA
The English department also enters candidates for the Advanced Extension Award in English.