ENGLISH & Media Studies

Contact

Head of English - Ms S Erskine – serskine@rbhs.co.uk

Head of Media Studies - Mr S Witcher - switcher@rbhs.co.uk

English

Subject Overview

We follow the English Key Stage 3 National Curriculum

At RBHS, English is a place of unfiltered exploration, challenge, and personal discovery. Our pupils are exposed to a vast range of exciting literature, from seminal works to contemporary masterpieces, from poetry to non-fiction and transactional writing in many forms. Our curriculum aims to engage our young people, to spark an appreciation and passion to go forward into the world with a confident voice and conviction of their beliefs.

Throughout Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) our students will be exposed to a wide range of texts which build on previous concepts at Key Stage 2 and introduce new and exciting genres to read and critically consider. We provide exposure to unknown realms through the escapism of short stories, novels and non- fiction pieces, allowing all to appreciate writing as a holistic piece. Learners will become increasingly competent in using language for deliberate effect to interest a reader. They will learn to critically evaluate, proof-read, and redraft their work, reflecting on others’ suggestions. Experimenting and developing their individual writing style is an exciting endeavour.

An appreciation and love of reading is encouraged through every step of our curriculum journey. In lessons, pupils are provided with opportunities to read together, independently and to reflect on their lens or perspective. Our extra- curricular timetable provides students with a vast range of opportunities, from Creative Writing to Poetry and Debate, there is something for everyone to enjoy. At key stage 3, our Reading lessons allow pupils to fully immerse themselves in a text, to appreciate the joy of words in an unbridled form and to encourage respectful discussion of global issues.

At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), pupils study a range of classic literature alongside more contemporary works. Our pupils read the following texts: A Christmas Carol, An Inspector Calls, Shakespeare’s Macbeth and an Anthology of Power and Conflict Poetry. These literary wonders give rise to rich messages that resonate with our young people in terms of their own morality, beliefs and conscience.

Film & Media Studies

Subject Overview

Film Studies and Media combines the intensive study of film and other media forms, with the opportunity to do creative practice in film and video, photography and new media. You will gain the analytical, critical and technical skills vital for understanding and working in today’s media-rich world.

Media studies is interdisciplinary, meaning it explores more than one branch of knowledge. In addition to analysing texts in the way you might do in English, we also study elements of media industries that are similar to Business Studies.

You will developing critical thinking in relation to mass media. Learning how to question and critique the messages coming from the media can be extremely useful, particularly as reports of "fake news" continue to gain popularity.

The texts we study are as up to date as possible and allow you to feel familiar with the subject content and will be more engaging.

Most people interact with mass media about eight hours a day. It makes sense, then, that we ought to educate ourselves about the media and persistently ask questions such as these: Who created this? Why did they make it? Who is the target audience? What techniques are being used to make this message believable? While seemingly simplistic, these questions represent a solid basis for media studies and acquiring media literacy.

Click here to view the Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3 Overview

We follow the English Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. We read whole texts (rather than extracts), because we firmly believe that it is important for students to experience and enjoy books in their entirety. In our schemes of work, we include high quality novels, short stories, poems and plays with a wide coverage of genres, historical periods, forms and authors.

Key Stage 4 Overview

We follow the AQA specifications for both English Language and English Literature. All students are entered for both GCSEs at the end of Year 11.

Years 10 and 11 are spent developing skills in:

Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening

English Language

Students will be assessed through two papers, each assessing reading and writing in an integrated way. GCSE English Language will have an endorsed component, covering Spoken Language. This endorsement will be reported as a separate grade (PASS, MERIT, DISTINCTION, or not classified) and will not contribute to the result of the GCSE English Language qualification.

English Literature

Students will be assessed through two papers, each assessing understanding and analysis of a wide range of different texts and literary forms (novel, play and poetry). Students will be expected to make links between the text and its context and there will be marks awarded, on each paper, for technical accuracy.

We study the set texts for Literature throughout both years, and place heavy emphasis on students revisiting and revising previously-learned content throughout the duration of the two year GCSE course.

Key Stage 5 Overview

We follow the AQA specifications for both A Level English Language and A Level English Literature. Students are entered for both A Levels at the end of Year 13.

A Level English Language

We follow the AQA English Language specification. Students will be assessed through two papers (Language, The Individual and Society and Language and Diversity and Change). Alongside these examinations, students will complete a non-exam assessment (coursework): a language investigation and an original piece of writing (3,500 words in total).

Throughout the course, the following assessment objectives will be covered.

AO1: Apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology and coherent written expression.

AO2: Demonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use.

AO3: Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning.

AO4: Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods.

AO5: Demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways

A Level English Literature

We follow the AQA English Literature B specification. Students will be assessed through two papers (conceptually based on the tragedy and social and political protest genres). Alongside these examinations, students will complete two non-exam assessments (coursework): applying literary theory to a challenging novel and a selection of poetry (2,500 words per essay).

Throughout the course, the following assessment objectives will be covered.

AO1: Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression.

AO2: Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts.

AO3: Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received.

AO4: Explore connections across literary texts.

AO5: Explore literary texts informed by different interpretations.

Key Stage 4 Media Studies Overview

The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Media Studies offers a broad, coherent and engaging course of study which enables learners to:

demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues
develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics
understand and apply specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed in order to make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

Key Stage 5 Media Studies Overview

The WJEC Eduqas A level in Media Studies offers a broad, engaging and stimulating course of study which enables learners to:

demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
demonstrate a critical approach to media issues
demonstrate appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture, politics and the economy
develop an understanding of the dynamic and changing relationships between media forms, products, industries and audiences
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the global nature of the media
apply theoretical knowledge and specialist subject specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed
make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
engage in critical debate about academic theories used in media studies
appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
demonstrate sophisticated practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.

Key Stage 4 Film Studies Overview

The WJEC Eduqas specification will enable learners to explore films in a coherent way, cumulatively developing their knowledge and understanding of:

how films are constructed – through cinematography (camerawork and lighting), mise-en-scène (how sets, locations, props and costume are used in film), editing and sound
how films are organised into structures – genre (the different kinds of film) and narrative (how films tell their stories)
how films can be used – artistically (the aesthetic qualities of film) and as a way of communicating ideas and issues (representation)
how learners make sense of film through exploring a film's relevant contexts (social, cultural, historical, political and institutional), through an awareness of key aspects of the history of film and through specialist writing on film.

This learning progression - from the key elements of film form to recognising how contexts and writing on film can deepen understanding – will be explored in this specification across a range of films. Two core study areas will be studied in relation to all films:

the key elements of film form (cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing and sound)
the contexts of film (social, cultural, historical, technological, institutional and, where relevant, political).

Key Stage 5 Film Studies Overview

The WJEC Eduqas A level in Film Studies aims to enable learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

a diverse range of film, including documentary, film from the silent era, experimental film and short film
the significance of film and film practice in national, global and historical contexts
film and its key contexts (including social, cultural, political, historical and technological contexts)
how films generate meanings and responses
film as an aesthetic medium
the different ways in which spectators respond to film.

It also aims to enable learners to:

apply critical approaches to film and
apply knowledge and understanding of film through either filmmaking or screenwriting