Literature & Performance is available at Higher and Standard level.

Studying Language & Literature at IB offers students the opportunity to explore the crucial role language plays in communication, reflecting experience and shaping the world, and the roles of individuals themselves as producers of language. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types, literary and non-literary forms, and contextual elements all effect meaning.

Through close analysis of various text types and literary forms, students will consider their own interpretations, as well as the critical perspectives of others, to explore how such positions are shaped by cultural belief systems and to negotiate meanings for texts and the wider world. Within this course, students will explore a range of literary texts such as prose, song lyrics, plays and graphic novels. Alongside their literary studies, they will also explore a wide range of non-literary works such as films, advertisements, social media, music videos, TV shows and news broadcasts to name a few.

The aims of studies in language and literature are to enable students to engage with a range of texts, in a variety of media and forms, from different periods, styles and cultures whilst developing an understanding of the relationships between studies in language and literature and other disciplines.

The IB course consists of oral and written assessment, improving your skills in presentations, discussions, commentaries and written work.

ASSESSMENT

In Year 12 you have one assessment
1. Individual recorded commentary on the way that one literary work and one non-literary body of work studied have approached a common global issue. (from a choice of five). These are 10 minutes long plus 5 minutes with your teacher (they are not presented to the class). You may bring in prepared notes. 

In Year 13 you are assessed by two exams (plus a piece of course work at Higher level) 
1. Exam 1 - An essay on an unseen non-literary passage/passages from different text types.
2. Exam 2 - A comparison essay on two literary texts you have studied.  
3. (HL only) A 1500 word essay on either one literary text or a non-literary body of work you have studied, with your choice of question.

Our extracurricular activities are varied: there are Book Clubs and Film Clubs, we enter competitions - such as Debating and Poetry Writing - and host guest lecturers. There is also the opportunity to run lower school clubs as CAS Projects, as well as take part in a range of booster sessions to help younger years improve their reading and writing skills. Finally, we have a strong, dedicated English Prefect team that everyone is welcome to apply to join.