Introducing Version 4 of the AS and A Level English Language and Literature anthology

Samantha Orciel, English Subject Advisor

Version 4 of our set text anthology for AS and A Level English Language and Literature (H074, H474) is now ready for first teaching from September 2024. In this blog I’ll explain more about the changes and the resources we’ve created to support you.

New texts for the anthology

Version 4 of the anthology introduces eight new texts, as detailed below. This means there are eight texts that have their final appearance in Version 3.

These texts have been chosen to ensure that the anthology includes a range of text types and a variety of voices and ideas, as well as their suitability for close linguistic study.

Version 4 assessment dates

Version 4 is assessed as part of Paper 1. Version 4 should be taught from September 2024 to AS students being assessed from June 2025, and to A Level students being assessed from June 2026. The final assessment for Version 3 is for A Level students in June 2025. Full details and dates can be found in our subject update.

Resources to support you

To help you deliver the new anthology texts, we’ve fully updated our teacher guide to the anthology. This includes classroom activities, ideas for analysis and discussion, and suggestions for foil texts. You can find the teacher guide on Teach Cambridge.

Ordering copies of the anthology

You can order hard copies of the anthology for your classroom from our website. The digital version of the anthology is available on Teach Cambridge, and has been optimised for accessibility.

Stay connected

If you have any other questions you can leave comments below, or email us at English@ocr.org.uk. You can also sign up to receive email updates or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @OCR_English.

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use the expression of interest form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the author

Prior to joining OCR in September 2022, Sam spent ten years teaching a range of English qualifications in secondary schools, including as a head of department. She did this alongside completing a MSt in Advanced Subject Teaching at the University of Cambridge, specialising in A Level English curricula and pedagogy.

In her spare time, you’ll find her either fussing over her dog, watching tennis, or (predictably!) reading anything and everything.