English / Film Studies

The English department fully supports the whole school aims and intends to provide the working environment where these can be achieved.

English lessons engage and encourage co-operative working and respect for others. Team and paired work encourage pupils to develop their own ideas and become more self-confident in directing their own learning. We encourage students to challenge and question texts and ideas; to consider alternative points of view and arrive at their own conclusion. Students are supported through personalised planning, marking and tracking, ensuring that every student succeeds. In this way, all pupils should derive a sense of worthwhile achievement and personal satisfaction from their work in English.

English combines texts, language and ideas from several hundred years ago, right up to breaking news. Students enjoy opportunities to comment on a range of texts from different ages, cultures and genres, making links and understanding how English has evolved. Creativity is encouraged and students feel confident to experiment and expand their own writing experiences. English also offers the opportunity for students to have a sound understanding of Functional English. We believe that students gain a well-grounded understanding of English which reflects and assists them in real life situations.

Director of Learning & Standards

Mrs N Jones

Film lessons engage and encourage co-operative working and respect for others. Team and paired work encourage pupils to develop their own ideas and become more self-confident in directing their own learning. We encourage students to challenge and question texts and ideas; to consider alternative points of view and arrive at their own conclusion. Students are supported through personalised planning, marking and tracking, ensuring that every student succeeds. In this way, all pupils should derive a sense of worthwhile achievement and personal satisfaction from their work in Film Studies.

Film Studies offers students the opportunity to experience films from different backgrounds and contexts, that they may not have experienced so far. We offer students a variety of genres and filmic styles that will challenge and teach students to be independent, critical thinkers and ultimately more open to ideologies and film experimentation.

Head of Film Studies

Ms D Sherwood

Year 9

Students enter Arrow Vale in Year 9. The year group is streamed into two bands, with setting across both bands. At the beginning of Yr9 students study a range of Literature and Language to complement and build on their learning from KS3 at middle school. The transition to GCSE English Language and Literature is by means of a phased introduction throughout Yr9 based on the development and progress of students. By the final term of Yr9, all students will have begun their GCSE English Language / English Literature course which is concluded in Years 10 and 11.

Units covered in Year 9 include:

An Introduction to high school English based on ‘the tales of the unexpected’. Students will work through a variety of texts to develop both reading and writing skills
A non-fiction unit: ‘The power of Language’. Students are given the opportunity to study inspirational speeches from throughout history, developing their own writing and oracy skills.
An Introduction to Shakespeare – his life and his works, including ‘Twelfth Night’.
A play study: ‘An Inspector Calls, analysing linguistic features as well as exploring the many themes within this play. This also acts as a bridging unit between key stage 3 and GCSE study in year 10.
Speaking and Listening activities are incorporated into all units.

In addition, students receive one Literacy lesson each week to develop all aspects of Reading, Writing and Communication. This includes dedicated reading time.

Key Stage 4

Students develop their Reading, Writing and Communication skills throughout Years 10 and 11, culminating in two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature.

Students prepare for AQA English Language and English Literature which consist of controlled assessments and external examinations. These units cover a range of texts and allow students to demonstrate their understanding of key literacy skills, the study of literary works, as well as their own creativity.

GCSE English Language

Two EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONs (100%)

Language paper 1 – Fiction study and creative writing. Students can explore a range of fiction extracts on a variety of themes. Furthermore, students learn to write with expression and creativity.

Language paper 2 – Non-fiction study and transactional writing. Covering a diverse selection of non-fiction texts from the 19^th Century, up to recent news headlines. Students learn to identify authorial bias and write with purpose, clarity and fluency.

Spoken Language Study – an analysis of how we use language today, e.g. how we adapt talk according to different situations. The adaptation of language for text messages or emails; public speaking or professional language.

Speaking and Listening – a range of tasks including presentations, discussions and role play.

GCSE English Literature

TWO EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS (100%)

Paper 1: Shakespeare and Pre 1900 prose: Macbeth – a play about the dangers of unchecked ambition and ‘A Christmas Carol’, Charles Dickens – a novel which explores the theme of redemption and the importance of community.

Paper 2: Modern play and poetry: ‘An Inspector Calls’, a modern play which covers the themes of class division and personal responsibility. The study of 15 poems based on the themes of ‘Power and Conflict’ from the AQA poetry anthology. An Unseen poetry study where students analyse and compare two poems based on a shared theme.

GCSE Film Studies

We study a diverse range of film, including American Independent film, British film and Foreign language film. The course looks at the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts. We investigate film and its key contexts (including social and contexts). The course aims to analyse and evaluate how films generate meanings and responses through form as an aesthetic medium and how we as spectators respond to film.

Assessment

There are two written exams and a coursework element to the course. Students will be assessed on all six films studied across the two-year GCSE.

Component 1: Key Developments in US film

Written examination: 1½ hours

35% of qualification

Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style

Written examination: 1½ hours

35% of qualification

Component 3: Production

Non-exam assessment

30% of qualification

Key Stage 5

Students enhance their understanding and appreciation of English from Years 10 and 11, when they study English Literature at A Level. Students prepare for AQA English Literature Specification A, and study this at AS and A2 level. The course enables students to explore different interpretations of texts, together with creativity. The theme for AS is World War One Literature, and in order to prepare students and develop their own understanding of the significance of these texts, the English Department organise a field trip to Ypres to visit significant sites from World War One.

English Literature A-Level

TWO examinations (80%)

Paper 1: Reading for Meaning on the theme of ‘Love Through the Ages’ – students study a wide range of texts within this category and explore and analyse unseen texts, comparing them to the ones they have studied.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry: ‘World War 1 and its aftermath’ – Students study a variety of texts and poetry inspired by World War 1.

COURSEWORK (20%)

Extended Essay and Shakespeare Study – students compare one Shakespeare play with another literary work, exploring themes, language and impact.

Film Studies Studies AS

We study a diverse range of film, including documentary, film from the silent era, experimental film and short film. The course looks at the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts. We investigate film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical and technological contexts). The course aims to analyse and evaluate how films generate meanings and responses through form as an aesthetic medium and how we as spectators respond differently to film.

Assessment

There are two written exams and a coursework element to the course. Students will be assessed on all eleven films studied across the two year A Level.

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking

Written examination: 2½ hours

35% of qualification

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives

Written examination: 2½ hours

35% of qualification

Component 3: Production

Non-exam assessment

30% of qualification

Enrichment

The English & Media Department strongly believes the understanding and appreciation of the subject goes beyond the classroom. We aim to offer a range of enrichment opportunities to support and develop students in their cultural understanding of the importance of English and Media in the wider world.

Theatre visits / Live Streaming
Author visits
Cinema visits
Speakers
Visits to Redditch Magistrates Court and Worcester Crown Court to watch real trials.
Poetry Slam
Book Club
Field trips to Ypres to visit significant sites from World War One.
Creative Writing Club
University / Study Days
Worcester Hive Visits
Year 9 : Magistrate Competition
Years 9 – 13 : Poetry Competition

SMSC in English

The English Department are proud to offer a range of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural experiences through English lessons and extra-curricular activities. Visits to the theatre, lectures in London, and The Hive in Worcestershire extend spiritual, moral, social and cultural appreciation and understanding of society. Students express their creativity and understanding of other cultures through their study of literature and non-fiction texts. Competitions and clubs are offered to allow students to develop and showcase their skills, knowledge and experiences through SMSC in English.

Spiritual Development in English & Film Studies

English Year 9
Year 11 Poetry – Power and Conflict
English Year 12 – Poetry and Prose – love through the ages.
English Year 9 Creative Writing club
English Language examinations: viewpoint and perspective.
English Years 9 – 13 visit the Rep Theatre in Birmingham
English Years 9 – 13 visits to RSC in Stratford Upon Avon
English Year 12 – Sixth Form Study Day in Worcester
Live Streaming of Shakespeare

Moral Development in English & Film Studies

Year 10 poetry unit – ‘Power and Conflict – exploring moral choices
English Year 9 – ‘An Inspector Calls’ focus on inequality
English Year 9 Shakespeare unit –Twelfth Night – exploring choices made and moral values
English Year 9 ‘Power of Language’ – contrasting civility and savagery, exploring communities and moral dilemmas
English Year 11 Poetry Conflict – WW1 conflict; race and gender; prejudice and discrimination
Media Year 10 – how different genders and cultures are represented in the media
Media Year 10 BBFC visit – censorship
Media Year 12– how different genders and cultures are represented in the media
English Year 12 and Year 13 – Probation Service initiative – Local Crime, Community Service – moral values
English Year 12 – The Rotter’s Club – social values and moral decisions in historical context and compared with contemporary society
English Year 13 – Othello – exploring prejudice and morality.
English Year 12 Shakespeare theatre trip – exploring key moral debate
English Year 13 – WW1 poetry and prose – social and moral values in historical context and compared with contemporary society
An Inspector Calls – exploring morality
Christmas Carol – Good morals for generosity and charity

Social Development in English & Media

English Year1 1 Poetry ‘Power and Conflict’
English Years 9 – 13 Speaking and Listening – group discussions and presentations; drama role play and hot seating – team learning
Media Years 12 and 13 – media industries and workplace
English Year 12 – ‘The Great Gatsby’ – theme of irreconcilable differences – social values
English Year 9 and Year 11 – Macbeth and An Inspector Calls – social values; theme of power within society
Media Year 10 – cinema trips
Theatre Trips
An Inspector calls – exploring social classes
Creative writing club

Cultural Development in English & Media

World Book Day
English Year 9 Poetry from other cultures – understanding different experience and cultures
English Year 11 Poetry ‘Power and Conflict’ – understanding different cultures and experiences
English Year 12 ‘The Great Gatsby’– understanding American contemporary culture and context
English Year 10 – media and non-fiction – how different cultures are portrayed in media texts
Media – Year 12 – how different cultures are portrayed in media texts
Media Year 12 – media changes over time and new technology
English Year 12 – Gatsby– historical, social and cultural context of each novel including imperialism and race
English Year 13 – historical, social and cultural context of a range of texts from a range of literary periods covering theme of love.
Media – representations of different groups in the media
Media – Influence of advertising
Library visits to the Hive in Worcester
Author meets
University visits / Study days
Speakers for school – John Holliday
Malcolm Garratt – RDI Media Yr12 workshop
BBFC – talk on regulations

British Values

A range of texts and topics studied as part of the English & Film Studies curriculums here at Arrow Vale lend itself to promoting our fundamental British values. Fairness and equality are explored within units such as the non-fiction and poetry schemes throughout key stage 4. Here, students discuss the social and moral implications of racial and gender prejudice found within a range of literary texts and the overall fairness of societies.

Students are also exposed to texts from literary heritage. This allows students to appreciate British writers who have contributed to the great works of our heritage. Conflict poetry, powerful speakers and other war literature studied through key stages 3, 4 and 5 enable students to reflect upon important sacrifices made with British history.

Embedding student understanding around the importance of living in a democracy is developed with enrichment experiences such as visits to Redditch Magistrates’ Court and Worcester Crown Court to watch real trials.

The department undertakes several extra-curricular activities which enhance student confidence and their sense of belonging as members of our school society; key factors which underpin our British Values.