AQA Syllabus

GCSE English Literature at Better EdSpace

AQA Syllabus

2 Year Course

Starting September 2026

Exam Sitting:

May/June 2028

Hands-on Learning

Ideal for ages 14+

Two Hourly Sessions Weekly

Timetable available on request

A Bit About the Course

Read deeply. Think critically. Write powerfully.

At Better EdSpace, our GCSE English Literature course invites students aged 14+ to explore some of the most iconic and thought-provoking works in the English literary tradition. In small groups with expert guidance, students develop the analytical skills to read between the lines, the confidence to express their ideas clearly, and the imagination to bring texts to life.

This one-year course prepares students for the AQA English Literature GCSE, with a deep dive into Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, and the AQA poetry anthology Power and Conflict. Our sessions blend structured literary analysis with lively discussion, creative interpretation, and purposeful writing.

AQA Specification at a Glance

COURSE AIMS

Assessment Overview:

Paper 1:
Shakespeare and the
19th-Century Novel

Paper 2:
Modern Texts and Poetry

Exams will assess four core skills:

Students will:

Read widely and critically from a rich selection of literary texts
Develop habits of thoughtful reading and articulate response
Appreciate the depth and power of English literary heritage
Prepare effectively for A-level study in Literature and related subjects

All texts are assessed through written exams. There is no coursework.

Texts studied: Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol
1 hour 45 minutes
64 marks (40% of total grade)

Texts studied: An Inspector Calls and the AQA Poetry Anthology (Power and Conflict)
2 hours 15 minutes
96 marks (60% of total grade)

AO1: Informed personal response with textual evidence
AO2: Analysis of writer’s techniques and their effects
AO3: Contextual understanding of texts
AO4: Accurate, purposeful use of written English

Why choose us?

Small, discussion-led groups that foster critical thinking and personal interpretation
Engaging analysis of classic texts alongside their historical and cultural context
Clear writing instruction that builds confidence and academic precision
Strong preparation for further study in English, humanities, and social sciences