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Is English Language a good A Level subject? 

English Language A Level is a really good choice if you have enjoyed the language aspects of your GCSE English course. Students will recall that study for the GCSE Language qualification is what we might call more ‘programmatic’: this is a more technical discipline, requiring a focus on technical aspects of language, and which looks as ‘texts’ that are sometimes a long way from the highbrow and romantic reading of the Literature qualification. It is a modern way of thinking about ‘English’ – as a language and a field of study – that is in some respects a great equaliser. This course elevates advertisements, diaries and scripted speeches to the level of Charles Dickens and Shakespeare: it presents them as all equally worthy of study, equally able under analysis to tell us important things about the way we think and the way the world works. Another way of thinking about and English Language A Level is that it this course presents English almost as a foreign language, divisible into its component parts, into its nouns and syntax features, and whose cultural importance is visible in its contexts of use – and misuse. You will be required to write critical essays, analysing language change and language use; but also to write creatively, producing letters and speeches in much the same way as you did at GCSE.   

Is English Literature a good A Level subject? 

Studying English Literature at A Level is a fantastic option for those who have enjoyed English at GCSE and want to take their study to the next level. But be under no illusions that this is a step up - in terms of the knowledge you will be required to retain and process, the language you will be required to use, and the general ‘seriousness’ of the course. And examinations. But for those who enjoy language and reading and want to explore some of the major artists (and cultural and social issues of our time (and others)); and who want to discuss in a small group of likeminded and committed students, and experiment with writing, it can be a dream!   

When to begin IB revision? 

IB exams begin as early as late April for some subjects, and your revision perhaps begins in earnest with your mock exams, which generally take place early in your final year of IB study.  

Revising for mocks will give you an opportunity to test what it is like to revise course material you’ve already covered, and rehearse some of the revision techniques that will become so crucial later on in the year. Mocks also generally mark the boundary of original subject material you will be expected to learn, and this is a good time for teachers and students to take stock of what has been learned – and start thinking in earnest about the summer exams to come. 

Most students find it useful to create a timetable for their revision even at this early stage. Though timetabling becomes even more crucial when your school days are dissolved and you are expected to take responsibility for your own study. 

Latymer Upper is one of the leading co-ed day schools in the country. Founded in 1624, the Latymer Foundation celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2024. With a proud history of social inclusivity, Latymer Upper educates 1400 girls and boys from a diverse range of backgrounds, offering a rigorous and stimulating education. It prides itself on being a ‘learning school’, with a strong emphasis on innovation and combining the best of the traditional and the modern. 

Latymer Upper School has two points of entry: Year 7 and Sixth Form.

Cheltenham Ladies’ College has been educating girls for 170 years. Its GCSE and A Level results are consistently excellent and the College is regularly named the top boarding school for IB in the country. Cheltenham Ladies’ College emphasises a well-rounded education, where co-curricular pursuits and contribution to the school community are weighed equally with academic achievement. The College admits a mixture of boarders and day pupils and there are three points of entry: 11+, 13+ and 16+.

One of the key considerations when choosing a school for your child is whether they should be educated in a single sex or co-ed environment. Some schools cater only for boys or girls; others are co-educational throughout or in just the sixth form. Which is more suitable often depends on your own preference, the character of the individual child and the age of entry. In this article we discuss some of the pros and cons of single sex vs co-ed schools along with our advice on how to find the right school for your child. 

What counts as a good UKiset score depends greatly on the school a candidate is applying to attend, and also varies according to the three sections of the test. The following points can act as a rough guide.  

What is a selective independent school?

A selective school chooses its students on the basis of their academic ability, with a view to maintaining its own standard or reputation as an academic establishment. 

The best selective independent schools consistently top academic performance tables, when it comes to ranking schools according to GCSE and A Level results, and choose students who will not only perform brilliantly but contribute to the academic atmosphere of the place. On paper this may seem reductive – but the best performing independent London schools are far from ‘grade factories’. These schools are extraordinarily well-resourced, employing the brightest teachers and with the most impressive facilities – classrooms, sports fields, libraries, laboratories and halls – and very much look upwards towards the university experience. They are also expensive, and competitive to get into, with a complex admission process to navigate before your son or daughter wins their place.                   

Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks is one of the leading IB schools in the UK and is also the second oldest non-denominational school in the country. Set in a 100-acre campus on the outskirts of Sevenoaks in Kent, the school boasts 30 buildings, 14 sports pitches and 12 lawns. It has a diverse international intake of more than 75 nationalities, with 21 per cent of leavers going to overseas universities. Sevenoaks has three main entry points, for boarding and day pupils at 13+ and 16+, and day pupils only at 11+.

In this article, experienced Theatre Studies tutor Matthew Dann, addresses some common questions and concerns around A Level Theatre Studies, including, the advantages of studying Theatre Studies at A Level, the best subject combinations, and the relevance of the subject for future studies or careers. He also explores the key components of the A Level Theatre Studies curriculum and discusses effective revision techniques and his tips for getting a top grade in the subject.

What does the term SEND mean? 

The term "special educational needs and disabilities" constitutes a legal classification that encompasses children who encounter learning difficulties or disabilities that pose greater obstacles to their learning compared to the majority of children their age. 

What are non-selective independent schools?

At the heart of the idea of non-selective schooling is an understanding that children develop in different stages and learn in a wide range of different ways. Many schools ‘select’ a student at least partly on the basis of their performance in an entrance exam, and not all students – for a host of different reasons – will be ready or willing to perform on a given date.  

Non-selective independent schools, both prep and senior, recognise this instinctively.  

Not only have these schools moved away from exam-based entrance criteria but – crucially - they also build their ethos and curricula according to a more inclusive or ‘holistic’ educational model. Often you will find a dizzying range of co-curricular activities on offer, from music to sports and drama and more.  

Non-selective schools also cater to students who can find the pressure of academic and social life at a larger institution demanding, and who may benefit from more compact class sizes and thrive in a ‘small school’ environment. They may also benefit students who are entering the British education system for the first time, and who may need time and space to get to grips with advanced cultural and language factors that other students take for granted.  

This doesn’t mean that non-selective schools cannot also have an academic focus. Many such schools perform well: students from non-selective prep schools win scholarships and entrance to the best London day schools. Non-selective senior schools should also offer you child the opportunity to achieve the very highest grades should that be their objective.  

Harrow School was founded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and has a global reputation as an outstanding school. Distinguished writers, politicians from around the world, and Nobel laureates have all studied at Harrow.

Securing a place at this highly selective school is a tough challenge, and you will find a number of key topics to do with the admissions process covered below. Keystone’s Founder and Director, Old Harrovian Will Orr-Ewing, also provides his insights into the process.

Shakespeare’s influence is everywhere. In fact, it’s so embedded in the English speaking world that it’s hard to see where it begins or ends. Firstly, there are the words, all 1,700 of them. And not just words like ‘congreeted’ and ‘coppernose’. Some of the most common words in English were first used by Shakespeare: ‘bedroom’, for instance, and ‘eyeball’. Then there are the phrases. When we ‘break the ice’ with someone, or when we ‘catch a cold’, we’re doing things that Shakespeare didn’t invent, as such, but which he did make far easier to say.

Shakespeare did more than most to shape modern English. So why is he so difficult to understand?

The first thing to say is don’t panic. Nobody in your class finds it easy. Grown adults find it hard. Even your teacher will from time to time. In fact, many of the people who first watched Shakespeare’s plays would have been baffled. Imagine being pelted not only with brand-new words, but with classical references and dense metaphors, all wrapped up in metrical verse. You’d be confused too.

But you have to be able to read it. All four of the main GCSE exam boards (AQA, OCR, WJEC and Edexcel) have extract questions which require you expected not only to understand the language but to analyse it too. So where on earth do you begin? 

In a world full of distractions, there are few more satisfying ways to spend your time than immersed in a good book. But studying literature at university is about more than wiling away your days in the company of great authors; it’s a rigorous and exacting discipline that will stretch the way you think about language and about art. So how can you prepare yourself for this kind of course, and, just as importantly, how can you prove to admissions tutors that you’re prepared?

Firstly, there’s nothing more important in this regard than good grades, so the priority should always be school work. But literature courses are some of the most competitive in the country. Admissions tutors will receive thousands of applications from qualified candidates. If you’re on-top of your school work, therefore, it’s worth investing some time in super-curricular activities. When a university is choosing between you and a candidate of a similar level, this might give you the edge. 

Non-fiction essay writing is a skill that can sometimes evoke powerful feelings dread in students. This article hopes to provide all students with a solid base of essay writing knowledge to help improve student confidence and skills.

The advice in this article has been written to be as applicable to as many subjects as possible. When using this article, be sure to check your Exam Board’s specification for each subject. There you will find the exact Assessment Objectives you should be working towards, and some exemplar essays as well. For more subject-specific advice on how to achieve a 9 in your exams, please look at some of our other GCSE and IGCSE blogs here.

How hard is it to get a 9 in GCSE Chemistry?  

 GCSE Chemistry can be a nerve-wracking subject as it not only involves learning the content, but being able to apply it to experiments and the use of equations. But, getting a 9 is definitely not impossible! Around 15% of students get awarded a 9 at GCSE, with grade boundaries varying each year, fluctuating between requiring around 70-80%. In papers you should be aiming for at least 80%. 

The teaching of languages at A Level is facing a number of challenges in the UK.