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For example, the initially demanding (but ultimately rewarding!) tragic treatment of passionate relationships in Hardy’s ‘The Return of the Native’ can open young minds to the attitudes to marriage and social status which prevailed in the nineteenth century. A lighter look at the same territory will be encountered in Jane Austen’s ever-popular ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Hollywood's constant reworking of such literary scenarios indicates just how relevant these attitudes still are and often how effective humour can be as a vehicle for criticism. Just the same issues surface in the sultry and tense atmosphere of Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire set in mid-century New Orleans.
Poetry, that most specialized and refined of literary genres, will be central to the course which features an anthology of poetry by American poet Robert Frost, most famous of course for ‘The Road not Taken’. William Shakespeare, voted the greatest figure of the Millennium, naturally finds his place in our studies. Students will become acquainted with one of his most powerful portrayals of love and jealousy: Othello.
With a completely new specification for our syllabus from 2008, assessment by coursework will be a significant feature in each year of the course, with opportunities for close textual study and more extended comparative essays.
How English is taught at Hurtwood
English Literature continues to be one of the most popular subjects studied at A-level. At Hurtwood House some 100 students study English, and the popularity of the subject, coupled with the lively and innovative approaches of the Department is reflected in results that are consistently excellent.
At Hurtwood House we see the teaching of English as much more than a mere transfer of information from teacher to students. The department involves students "head and heart" in what they are studying, regarding English as a highly interactive subject. Here, responses to texts are not dreary re-formulations of the views of others. Not for us the passive approach! Your developing views, your unique learning curve over a range of literary awareness is what we want. You may be fortunate to have a grounding already in study skills. However, for the many students who come to us shaky about how to write essays, how to revise, or how to note texts efficiently, sustained help and practice is ever at hand. Many students find mind-maps helpful, for example in essay planning and revision; and you'll find that at Hurtwood teachers make use of them for board work and group tasks in the classroom.
To return to that core skill of essay-writing, we do have exacting standards as far as the formalities of good English are concerned. Though our specification does not include "creative writing" as such we have a keen interest in what is going on in your creative imagination and enjoy reading your poems, stories and plays. Occasional competitions produce some terrific results, often surprising even their authors!
When you leave Hurtwood - and you may need a trolley to transport all the written work you will have done by then! - you will be well informed about literary quality, confident about your own personal responses and preferences, and assured about your capacity to express them verbally and on paper. All students will leave with a fund of rich memories about their English classes: detailed engagements with fine literature, the cut-and-thrust of differing opinions, group fun and group groans ("not another timed essay!"), all facilitated by teachers who know their job inside out and are open-minded on updating teaching methods. A review of your teachers’ termly reports, accumulated over your English course will underline just how much they perceived about you - your strengths, weaknesses and (crucially) your potential.
We don't go in for "streaming" in English. Our classes work best on a mixed ability basis because of our good teacher/student ratio and our philosophy that personal response to literature is unique to each reader. Every member of an English class at Hurtwood House, including the teacher, has his or her perspectives widened by the views of others. Where marked aptitude for the subject has become apparent in some students, they are invited to take part in a weekly "Special English" group - something of a fast-track for reading and discussion of literary extracts beyond the set texts. This is a popular option, as very able students appreciate being "stretched". This forum is not shut to newcomers should a student's progress and motivation indicate it would be suitable.
The English department's stress on participation involves a full programme. Characteristically, the outings, such as the visit to The Globe, the annual long weekend trip to Shakespeare country, visiting speakers, writing workshops and other theatre visits you will see on the calendar are augmented by un-calendared "happenings". These tend to be arranged spontaneously according to what is going on locally - e.g. Guildford Book Festival events, National Poetry Day celebrated by poetry readings on a Thames river trip, Brighton Arts Festival and so on. Inter-departmental occasions also feature. The strong overlaps with Theatre Studies, Art and Music make informal presentations by colleagues stimulating. We reciprocate. Incidentally, it's not surprising that imagination fired by texts in English classes often feed into "individual skills" in Theatre Practical work. The Specification (Transitional Year)There are three units in the current second year of the course, but henceforth these will be reduced to two in each year. A/SUnit 1: Prose and Poetry 1800-1945 (2 hours) Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
Unit 2: Post 1900 Literature (Coursework) A pair of texts chosen by the class teacher (comparative study)
A 2Unit 4: Modern Prose (1 hour) Most students opt to do this unit as a coursework submission in the Autumn Term.
Unit 5 : Poetry and Drama (2 hours)
Unit 6 : Unprepared Poetry and Comparative Study (2 hours)
What skills do I need?English at Hurtwood House is described as "traditional, progressive and fun, with students under no illusions about what is expected of them". If you are not already reading widely, you will be a person who wants to do so, and you will find reading a pleasure, not a chore. Your tutors will be on hand to recommend authors and titles beyond your set texts. You will also be expected to write regular essays on your set books. You will be willing to persevere in your style and technique and work cooperatively with your teacher, in responding positively in the next assignment to advice given in marked work. Writing well is a core skill in English. We realize that the jump from GCSE standard to Advanced Level is a big one, so we give careful attention to supporting your development in essay writing.
After A-levelEnglish Literature is one of the most popular A-level subjects nationally. It goes well with Arts and Social Science subjects and is highly regarded by Admissions Tutors as a mainstream academic qualification. For Higher Education it is suitable for a wide range of degree courses in the Humanities, including English, American Studies, European Studies and Philosophy. As a communication subject it is also valued for Social Sciences and Business courses, and it can be an asset to combine it with Theatre Studies at A-level if you are considering a general Humanities or Arts course at University. It is possible to combine English with Science subjects at A-level but, if this is the case, it is important to consider your Higher Education plans. Bear in mind that if you are considering reading English at University you will need to gain an A or a B pass in it at A-level. Do also be aware that the admittedly very tempting combination of English with both Theatre Studies and Media Studies will inevitably narrow down your options if you are intending to go on to university – such is the perception of Admissions Tutors.
Résumé of Set TextsAS
A2 Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë with The Return of the Native - Thomas Hardy Suggested Reading The best practical advice if you are considering English as one of your AS level subjects is to get into the habit of browsing through a quality newspaper daily, lingering on items of interest. The Book Sections of The Times, The Independent, The Observer and The Guardian are all especially valuable resources. Do listen to Radio 4 programmes occasionally, like Kaleidoscope and Poetry Please. Please click here for our recommended list of texts.
EXTRA ENGLISH GROUP WORKAims of the class
In the past this course has proved invaluable in extending response to the set A-level texts, enhancing the sense of literary chronology as well as raising some of the key controversial issues in contemporary literary study. The classes should also prove valuable in aiding decisions on university courses and subsequently in conducting interviews. We intend the course to be flexible and adaptable, but hope over the next few terms to cover the following Early twentieth century literature: the rise of "Modernism."
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