Welcome
A Level English Suite
What’s your passion?
Contents
• Introduction to OCR
• Introduction to English
A Level
English Suite
• Why change to our specification?
• Support and training
• Next steps
About OCR
• Part of Europe’s largest
assessment agency, Cambridge
Assessment
• UK’s leading awarding body
• Over 13,000 centres choose our
qualifications
• Qualifications are developed in
consultation with teachers
Our Mission
Our commitment is to provide qualifications which engage
learners of all ages whether at school, college, in work and part time training
programmes so they achieve their full potential
make a difference
Practical
Accessible
Innovative and exciting
Our Credentials
• Leading the way with new ideas
• Dedicated to offering respected
qualifications
• Engaging and relevant
qualifications
• Comprehensive support
framework
Contents
• A Level English Literature
• A Level English Language
A Level
English Suite
• A Level English Language & Literature
English Suite | Credentials
• Developed in consultation with teachers and Heads of Department
•
Expert handling of set texts
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Practical to deliver
•
Respected and valued specifications in English
A Level
English Literature
Key points in the specification
• Exciting coursework units offering
opportunity to chose texts if you wish
• Option to study extracts of set texts
• Opportunity for learners to return to
Shakespeare at A2
• Understanding of the changing
traditions of English Literature
English Literature | Critical Texts
• Other Awarding Bodies insist on
reading complete critical texts
• They also specifically examine the
critical text in the exam
• This can cause classroom time to
become squeezed
But with OCR there’s a more flexible
approach…
English Literature | Critical Texts
• OCRs does not require learners to
read specific critical texts
• Which makes life easier on your
planning and teaching time
• Extracts can be used that are best
suited to your learners
• There is no specific question set in the
exam
• Our specification is less prescriptive
English Literature | AS Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F661: Poetry and Prose 1800–1945
Learners study works of poetry and prose
ranging from Robert Frost to Edith Wharton.
This unit develops critical literary skills,
promotes a greater understanding of the
contexts in which texts are produced and
explores the variety of possible interpretations.
F662: Literature Post – 1900
Through this study of modern literature
students learn to compare texts and gain
confidence in their use of literary critical
concepts and terminology. Learners have
the opportunity to select works of
individual interest.
English Literature | A2 Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F663: Drama and Poetry Pre–1800
The study of Shakespeare is a key focus, as is the
study of a literary heritage text. This includes critical
analysis of structure, form and meaning, and consideration
of others’ interpretations.
Learners are encouraged to compare and contrast texts
across the works of authors writing from 1300-1800.
F664: Texts in Time
Learners develop research skills and synthesise their
knowledge and understanding in an extended individual
study of literary texts across genres.
This unit gives learns an appreciation of the cultural
and contextual influences upon readers and writers,
and the ways in which texts relate to literary
traditions, movements and genres.
Stretch and Challenge
Stretch and Challenge is a new QCA initiative for A Levels:
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Included in A2 Assessment
Reflected in the style of questions asked which invite a greater variety of thinking
Questions are structured to show more connections between different sections of
the specification
Extended writing is encouraged in all subjects (except Maths)
A wider range of question types – like case studies and open ended questions
More synoptic assessments – exploring connections between different areas and
levels of a subject
A Level
English Language
Key points in the specification
• ‘Language in the Media’
introduces multimodal texts
• Opportunity to use modern and
engaging stimuli
• Opportunity to study language
in a variety of contexts
• Freedom to choose texts in the
coursework units
English Language | AS Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F651: The Dynamics of Speech
This unit focuses on the analysis of spoken
and written English, scripted and unscripted, by
children and among different groups such as
friends, families, and national and local
communities. It promotes a greater understanding
of language acquisition and social context.
F652: Texts and Audiences
Learners produce coursework for internal
assessment on the themes of audience and
purpose, and the cultural context in which texts
are produced.
They can conduct a sustained individual study,
examining language use, context and effect
across different modes.
English Language | A2 Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F653: Culture, Language and Identity
This unit explores issues surrounding dialect,
culture, power and identity, and enables a
deeper understanding of stylistic variation.
F654: Language in Media
Learners have the opportunity to compare and
analyse texts from three different modes: spoken,
written and multimodal.
They conduct a sustained study of language
analysis and create their own writing.
A Level
English Language
and Literature
Key points in the specification
• Study of communication
• Stimulating range of texts
• Favourite language aspects
combined with literary
evaluation
• Literary analysis through
creative engagement with a
range of texts
English Language and Literature
| AS Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F671: Voices in Text
This unit explores the representation of
individual voices that create meaning in texts
ranging from prose fiction to natural speech
transcripts.
F672: Changing Texts
Learners explore creative techniques and
the ways in which literary texts are
constantly being reinvented and
reinterpreted for different audiences and
purposes.
English Language and Literature
| A2 Structure
Teaching units
and Assessment
method and
weighting
F673: Voices and Power
This unit focuses on the changing representation
of power relationships through the genre of
drama.
F674: Connections Across Texts
Learners have the freedom to choose influential or
culturally significant works which may fall outside the
accepted literary canon. This enables them to study
topics of personal interest.
They conduct an analytical comparison of two drama
texts and write their own creative piece. This helps
to develop and enhance their skills as producers
and interpreters of language.
What’s in it for you?
• Easy to administer
• Rewarding to deliver
• Flexibility in teaching texts to match your interests as well as
those of your students
• Access to support networks including peers and examining team
• Logical and enjoyable transition from GCSE minimising overlap,
but encouraging progression and development of skills
What’s in it for your learners?
• Enjoyable and motivational
• Opportunity to study
popular texts alongside
literary canon
• Take a break from
Shakespeare at AS and
revisit it at A2
• Stretch and challenge
opportunities
What’s in it for your school?
• More learner enrolments
• Good progression routes into
HE/FE
• Flexibility in curriculum planning
and delivery
English Suite | Support
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Text books and teacher resources from Oxford University Press
More INSET than ever before
Overarching scheme of work and lesson plans
Coursework Consultancy Service
Established e-community
Next Steps
• Book training/events - www.ocr.org.uk/training
• Bookmark website for further information/future updates –
www.ocr.org.uk
Other qualifications
•GCSE English
•GCSE English Literature
•GCSE Media Studies
•A Level Critical Thinking
•A Level Media Studies