How/where to study A Level English Lit if not at college?

[lucysmam]

Dd2's GCSE Lit result is 1 mark off what she needed to get a place on the English Lit course she has her heart very firmly set on.

She's asked for it to be checked to see if she can gain that one mark & be given a place on the course. But the college have put her on the Language course for the time being.

She is heartbroken & has just spent the past half hour crying on the phone while she waits for the bus home.

Anyway, all that to ask if anyone has experience of this & enrolled their child on courses with separate providers? And, if so, where/how did you go about this?

(Just adding here - I'm aware they'll probably find that 1 mark. And, I've just spoken to the college about something unrelated & asked if there was any wiggle room at all if the course doesn't fill and was told yes if it doesn't fill she can have the place, so maybe not needed anyway, but in case it is, I would much rather have a happy child doing what she loves, than a thoroughly miserable one...).

Thanks!

I only went to two or three of my A level lit classes.

The teacher was condescending and I couldn’t be arsed.

My boyfriend at the time was an English teacher and he got me the specification and past papers, nowadays, you just get them off exam board websites.

There are secure parts of websites for more recent papers but generally you can see mark schemes, indicative content, samples for moderation, everything…

read spec carefully to ensure you’re reading right books, watch YouTube videos - Mr Bruff - get AI to mark your work but be aware it tends to be very generous.

Watch films and plays of set texts. I didn’t have the internet when I taught myself literature A level but I read and read and read … and the study guides but that’s all online too.

I got a B because I mucked up timing of exam so practise that. You’ll need to register with a college or centre to do exam but some online schools will put camera in your house for exam instead of invigilators.

English Language A level is nothing like Literature at all. It’s also not easier so the College is behaving oddly to put her on the seemingly easier route for the sake of one mark. A level lang has no relation to GCSE Lang either. Present the case of previous performance if it’s been better than her result. I have got students good grades (C to A) who have “only” got a 5 at GCSE because the GCSE could have been taught badly, had boring text choices, teacher absence, student troubles or other variants ad infinitum. Do one mark is neither here nor there. Depending on who is not allowing this, go to a higher power (eg head to f sixth form) or appeal to the HoD. Her teachers will know if she’s capable of A Level, get them to support your case. If none of this works get a tutor and enter as a private candidate. I can recommend if you need it.

Thank you both. Hopefully none of this is needed - the VP rang me back after my first discussion with them & couldn't understand why, for the sake of 1 mark, she hadn't been offered the place on Lit anyway. Obviously someone sticking to requirements but he said they're quite happy to discuss at any point & discretion should be applied. He did go away to discuss with HT but rang back a third time & they're happy to take dd.

Hurray!! I’m glad sense prevailed. Good luck to her, it’s the best subject in the world!

@Barkleyspaubles thank you, she adores it 😊.