Film Studies makes an important contribution to the curriculum because it provides students with exposure to culture, context and controversy. We study films which challenge students intellectually and morally, consolidating their knowledge and understanding in other curriculum areas such as English, the social sciences and the humanities. Film is one of the main cultural
innovations of the last 100 years and those who study it become more reflective of themselves and their society as a result.

Media Studies confronts students with the media’s central role in contemporary culture, society and politics. They shape our perceptions of the world through the opinions and perspectives they offer. The morality of the today’s media with the rise of fake news and disinformation challenges our students to be judicious in their approach to visual and print journalism as well as social media to make informed choices about the world in which they live.

Content

Sixth Form

The sixth form Film curriculum covers Vertigo, Do the Right Thing, Carol, Captain Fantastic, Trainspotting, This is England, Pan’s Labyrinth, City of God, Amy, Sunrise and Pulp Fiction.

The sixth form Media curriculum covers media products, industries and audiences, media language and representation, advertising, music videos, newspapers, radio, film and television, as well as magazines and social media.

Examples of cross-curricular links

With Biology, e.g. the different pathologies attributed to excessive utilisation of mass media. With Sociology, e.g. the instrumentalist Marxist theory of the media. With History, e.g. the impact of the moving image for documenting significant moments in recent history.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Sixth form immersion talks.