ENGLISH LITERATURE

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: OCR
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

At A-Level candidates will study a total of 6-8 texts

Component 1: Shakespeare, Drama and Poetry pre-1900 
Texts: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Selected Poetry by S T Coleridge and An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

Component 2: Comparative and Contextual Study American Literature 1880-1940
Texts: American Literature – a comparison of The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Component 3: Close Reading OR re-creative writing piece with commentary AND Comparative Essay
Texts: Literature post-1900 (student choice) Read three texts (poetry, prose and play) and compare whatever themes, ideas and methods you wish to pursue

Futures

Study of an English A-Level is very different from GCSE, and is good for any job that involves communication, writing and / or literary knowledge. These include: advertising and marketing, writing and journalism, law, consultancy, business, teaching, performing arts, academia, government, linguistics, foreign languages, media and design and freelance writer.

Students with an A-Level in English Literature have a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. English Literature can be studied as a single subject at university or combined with a wide variety of other subjects. It forms an excellent basis for studying any arts-based subjects in combination with, for example, History, Philosophy, Law, Politics, Languages or Media Studies.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: OCR
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

Year 12

1. Non-Fiction Written and Spoken Texts – identifying how meanings and effects are created in non-fiction texts. Writing non-fiction – apply knowledge of genre and technique
2. Content of literary texts – The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald and Rapture by Carol Ann Duffy.

Year 13

1. Original non-fiction reading and writing – Down and Out in Paris and In London by George Orwell.
2. The language plays – A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
3. Reading as a writer, writing as a reader.
4. Coursework/Independent Study: Analysing and producing texts.

Futures

Study of an English A-Level is very different from GCSE, and is good for any job that involves communication, writing and/or literary knowledge. These include: advertising and marketing, writing and journalism, law, consultancy, business, teaching, performing arts, academia, government, linguistics, foreign languages, media and design and freelance writer.

Students with an A-Level in English Language and Literature have a wide range of career and higher education opportunities. English Language and Literature can be studied as a combined subject at university or studied in isolation. It forms an excellent spring board for studying any arts-based and social science subjects.  Also, the course is ideal for all our budding authors as it will give you an excellent understanding of the English Language in both scientific and artistic forms. 

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FILM STUDIES

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: Eduqas
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page

Content

• Hollywood Film 1930-1990 
• American Independent Film 
• British film European Film 
• Global Film 
• Documentary Film
• Silent Film 
• Experimental Film 
• Short Film
• Film Production (Production work is a crucial part of this specification and is integral to learners' study of film)

Futures

Did you know that every nine days, as much moving image is uploaded to YouTube as the BBC has broadcast in its entire history? Employment in the screen industries has grown by over 20% since 2009 and will substantially outpace the economy wide increase of 3% if the skills shortages in this area are fulfilled. 

Career paths for students of Film may, of course, include practical avenues such as Film-Making, Directing, Producing and Editing but a qualification in Film Studies also allows you to move into more theoretical pathways such as Film Criticism, Journalism, Teaching and Education.

Studying Film enables you to see the world in a different light and develop a wide range of transferable skills for further education, work and life: 

• Creative Thinking 
• Critical Thinking 
• Emotional Intelligence 
• Film Analysis 
• Textual Analysis 
• Communication 
• Research skills 
• Literacy 
• Technical competencies (i.e. film editing) 

Students of Film Studies are the students of the future, gaining the skills needed to develop successful careers and great academic minds.

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MEDIA

Qualification: A-Level
Awarding body: Eduqas
Prerequisites: refer to the Entry Requirements page
Assessment: 30% Coursework, 70% Examination

Content

The media is the most dynamic, innovative and influential method of mass communication of modern times. It has been reported that adults in Great Britain are consuming media for almost 8 hours a day. That’s 8 hours a day watching films and television, reading newspapers, and sifting through online media. Within that time, we are bombarded by other people’s representations of the world and how we respond to these representations can affect our perceptions of people, places and society, of politics and culture, of ourselves and of our place in the world. Media Studies is a vital tool necessary to understanding the media’s significance and its power. This course provides an in-depth exploration of media industries, texts, and audiences, focusing on theoretical frameworks and practical skills. Students will study the following components:

Component 1: Media Products, Industries, and Audiences (35%)

• Media Language and Representation: Analysis of how media products convey meaning.
  • Set Texts:  Newspapers – The Daily Mirror and The Times front pages and cover to cover.
  • Film posters and music videos (Beyoncé and Vance Joy)
• Media Industries and Audiences: Investigation of media industries’ roles in creating content and engaging audiences.
  • Set Texts: the gaming industry with the Assassin’s Creed Franchise.
  • Radio: Woman’s Hour

Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth (35%)

• Television (Set TV dramas): Comparative study of genre, representation, and context.
  • Example Set Texts: TV – Peaky Blinders and The Bridge
• Magazines: Exploration of media language, audience, and representation.
  • Example Set Texts: Huck, Woman’s Realm
• Online Media: Analysis of modern media creators.
  • Set Texts: Zoella’s YouTube channel, Attitude Online.

Component 3: Cross-Media Production (30%)

• Students create a practical cross-media project, such as a marketing campaign or media portfolio, tailored to a specific audience and reflecting industry standards. This year it was the music industry. We work closely with the Roundhouse to help students achieve the best outcomes possible for this component.

Futures

Further Education:

• Media Studies, Communication, or Marketing degrees at university.

Careers:

Media Planner, Content Creator, Journalist, Marketing Specialist, TV/Film Producer, Social Media Manager, or Advertising Professional. Your transferrable skills include analytical, critical and interpretative skills alongside the ability to express yourself accurately and fluently in writing.