English
English and English Literature
English Curriculum Vision:
- Every pupil has a right to be inspired and interested in the fantastic literature available to them. There is a rich variety of literature in the world and this knowledge should be communicated to pupils. Literature is a reflection of a society’s development of thought and expression, and is a fundamental part of our culture.
- Every pupil has the right to develop their skills of self-expression, both in terms of accuracy and creativity. Self-expression is a basic human right, and is enshrined in our laws and culture.
- Every pupil can become a critical reader, understanding a variety of texts, and able make inferences. Language is a key part of a society’s culture and again part of who we are.
- Every pupil has the right to excellent focused study that means they can achieve their full potential. Education and qualifications are key to ensuring pupils have choices and access to the next level of their personal development.
English Curriculum Intent:
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Our curriculum is knowledge based. We seek to expose pupils to high quality texts of significant literary weight. We introduce them to ideas and concepts that are new, to texts that they may not ordinarily choose to read outside the classroom, and to ensure that all pupils have a solid foundation and grounding in classics from the English literary canon.
The texts that we study from Year 7 onwards are intended to provide a solid basis for study at GCSE and beyond. For success in English Language units, we use a variety of established literary texts to teach the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
Curriculum Offer
Key Stage 3
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Key Stage 4
Students study the AQA Specification for English Language and English Literature at GCSE level, taking four exams in total at the end of Year 11.
GCSE English Language
Students are studying AQA GCSE English Language
Paper One: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing.
Paper One consists of two sections, reading and writing. This is a written examination worth 50% of the GCSE, totalling one hour 45 minutes and 80 marks.
Section A: Reading: one literature fiction text followed by four questions (40 marks)
Section B: Writing: descriptive or narrative writing (40 marks)
Paper Two: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives
Paper Two consists of two sections, reading and writing. This is a written examination worth 50% of the GCSE, totalling one hour 45 minutes and 80 marks.
Section A: Reading: one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text followed by four questions (40 marks)
Section B: Writing: writing to present a viewpoint (40 marks)
Non-examination Assessment: Spoken Language
Students will be assessed on presenting, responding to questions and feedback along with the use of Standard English. This will be assessed by their teacher and separately endorsed Pass, Merit or Distinction. This is 0% weighting of GCSE.
GCSE English Literature
GCSE English Literature
Students are studying AQA GCSE English Literature.
Paper One: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel
Paper One consists of two topics: Shakespeare plays and 19th century novels and equates to 40% of the GCSE. This is a written exam totalling 1 hour 45 minutes and 64 marks.
Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on Macbeth. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole (34 marks)
Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on Jekyll and Hyde. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole (30 marks).
Paper Two: Modern texts and poetry
Paper Two consists of three topics: Modern prose or drama, the poetry anthology and unseen poetry. It is worth 60% of the overall GCSE. This is a written exam totalling 2 hours 15 minutes and 96 marks.
Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text, An Inspector Calls.
Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen anthology cluster, Power and Conflict.
Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.
Key Stage 5
A Level English Literature
Our Literature students follow the AQA A Specification and study a broad range of prose, poetry and drama texts linked by two main themes: love and war. Students read texts in their entirety, studying the context of production and reception and read widely around them. The core texts we currently study are:
- ‘Rebecca’ written by Daphne Du Maurier
- Anthology of Love Poetry through the Ages: Pre-1900
- ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare
- ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde
- Poetry of Wilfred Owen
- ‘Regeneration’ written by Pat Barker
- ‘My Boy Jack’ written by David Haig
- Literature Non-Examined Unit
More information can be found on the AQA English Literature website:
AQA AS and A level English Literature
A Level English Language
Our linguists follow the OCR specification, exploring the key constituents of the English Language and how it has developed and continues to change over time. Students engage with a range of non-fiction, fiction and multimedia texts and apply linguistic frameworks to analyse and interpret language considering contexts of production, reception and theoretical approaches.
Units covered include:
- Language Under the Microscope
- Writing about a Topical Language issue
- Dimensions of Linguistic Variation
- Child Language Acquisition
- Language in the Media (covering Gender, Power and Technology)
- Language Change
- Language Investigation and Academic Poster (Non-Examined Unit)
More information can be found on the OCR English Language website:
Media and Film
The media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. The media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. The economic importance of the media is also unquestionable. The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase.
Film is an important part of many people's lives. Those who choose to study it characteristically bring with them a huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which constantly motivates them in their studies. They experience a powerful medium that inspires a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective as they are drawn into characters, their narratives and the issues films raise. The root of that power is the immersive audio-visual experience film offers – one that can exploit striking cinematography, composition and locations as well as powerful music and sound. It is not surprising that many consider film to be the major art form of the last hundred years and that many feel it important to study a medium that has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel.
KS4 Media
Examinations and ‘Non-exam assessment’ (formerly known as coursework):
Component 1: Exploring the Media
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
40% of qualification
Section A: Exploring Media Language and Representation
This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following print media forms: magazines, marketing (film posters), newspapers, or print advertisements. There are two questions in this section:
- one question assessing media language in relation to one set product (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
- one two-part question assessing representation in relation to one set product and one unseen resource in the same media form. Part (a) is based on media contexts. Part (b) requires comparison through an extended response.
Section B: Exploring Media Industries and Audiences
This section assesses two of the following media forms: film, newspapers, radio, video games. It includes:
- one stepped question on media industries
- one stepped question on audiences.
Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
30% of qualification
This component assesses all areas of the theoretical framework and contexts of the media in relation to television and music.
Section A: Television
- one question on either media language or representation, which will be based on an extract from one of the set television programme episodes to be viewed in the examination (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
- one question on media industries, audiences or media contexts.
Section B: Music (music videos and online media)
- one question on either media language or representation (reference to relevant contexts may be required)
- one question on media industries, audiences or media contexts.
Component 3: Creating Media Products
Non-exam assessment
30% of qualification
An individual media production for an intended audience in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding of media language and representation.
AS Media
Component 1: Investigating the Media
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
35% of qualification
The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of two sections.
Section A: Investigating Media Language and Representation
This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following media forms: advertising, marketing, music video or newspapers. There are two questions in this section:
- one question assessing media language in relation to an unseen audio-visual or print resource
- one extended response comparison question assessing representation in one set product and an unseen audio-visual or print resource in relation to media contexts.
Section B: Investigating Media Industries and Audiences
This section assesses two of the following media forms – advertising, marketing, film, newspapers, radio, video games - and media contexts.
It includes:
- one stepped question on media industries
- one stepped question on audiences.
Component 2: Investigating Media Forms and Products
Written examination: 2 hours
35% of qualification
This examination assesses knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. The exam consists of three sections.
Section A – Television
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section B – Magazines
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section C – Online Media
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Component 3: Media Production
Non-exam assessment
30% of qualification
An individual media production comprising a single media product created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework.
A Level Media
Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
35% of qualification
The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media contexts. It consists of two sections:
Section A: Analysing Media Language and Representation
This section assesses media language and representation in relation to two of the following media forms: advertising, marketing, music video or newspapers. There are two questions in this section:
- one question assessing media language in relation to an unseen audio-visual or print resource
- one extended response comparison question assessing representation in one set product and an unseen audio-visual or print resource in relation to media contexts.
Section B: Understanding Media Industries and Audiences
This section assesses two of the following media forms – advertising, marketing, film, newspapers, radio, video games - and media contexts.
It includes:
- one stepped question on media industries
- one stepped question on audiences.
Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
35% of qualification
The examination assesses media language, representation, media industries, audiences and media
contexts. It consists of three sections:
Section A – Television in the Global Age
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section B – Magazines: Mainstream and Alternative Media
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Section C – Media in the Online Age
There will be one two-part question or one extended response question.
Component 3: Cross-Media Production
Non exam assessment
30% of qualification
An individual cross-media production based on two forms in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, applying knowledge and understanding of the theoretical framework and digital convergence.
KS4 Film
Examinations and ‘Non-exam assessment’ (formerly known as coursework):
Component 1: Key Developments in US Film
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
35% of qualification
This component assesses knowledge and understanding of three US films chosen from a range of options.
Assessment consists of four questions on one pair of US mainstream films and one
US independent film:
Section A: US film comparative study - Rebel without a Cause (Ray, USA, 1955), PG and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Hughes, USA, 1986), 12A
- one stepped question on the first of the chosen pair of films (produced between 1930 and 1960)
- one stepped question on the second of the chosen pair of films (produced between 1961 and 1990)
- one question requiring a comparison of the chosen pair of films
Section B: Key developments in film and film technology
- one multi-part question on developments in film and film technology
Section C: US independent film - Whiplash (Chazelle, USA, 2014), 15
- one question on one US independent film.
Component 2: Global Film: Narrative, Representation and Film Style
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
35% of qualification
This component assesses knowledge and understanding of three global films
produced outside the US chosen from a range of options.
Assessment consists of three questions in three sections:
- Section A: one stepped question on one global English language film (District 9 (Blomkamp, South Africa, 2009), 15)
- Section B: one stepped question on one global non-English language film (Tsotsi (Hood, South Africa, 2005), 15)
- Section C: one stepped question on one contemporary UK film (Skyfall (Mendes, UK, 2012), 12)
Component 3: Production
Non-exam assessment
30% of qualification
This component assesses the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of film to
a production and its accompanying evaluative analysis. Learners produce:
- one genre-based film extract (either from a film or from a screenplay)
- one evaluative analysis of the production, where learners analyse and evaluate their production in relation to comparable, professionally-produced films or screenplays.
Future Careers
The study of English, Media, and Film can lead to a variety of careers. Although none of the subjects are vocational, they are ideal preparation for careers that require candidates to be analytical, creative thinkers who can express themselves well in both oral and written communications.
Anyone with an English degree or qualification will tell you that picking this subject can lead to a lot sceptical questions: “What are you going to do after school?” or “What kind of a job can you really get with an English qualification?”
The brilliant thing about English is its flexibility and how transferable the skills are—you’re not confined to a specific vocational track. Instead, the skills you learn can be applied to many different industries—from business, education, government, and research, to publishing, entertainment, media, and communication.
English, Media and Fim will teach you to write well, organize ideas in a logical way, and create strong arguments, with sharp analytical thinking, creativity, and excellent research skills.
These are all vital for any career in:
- Journalism
- Teaching (Primary, Secondary, EAL, SEN)
- Advertising
- Library Studies
- Publishing copy-editing
- Arts administration
- Film/TV
- Marketing
- PR
- Social media management