The Film Studies department is a dedicated team who aim to develop students love of film at GCSE and enhance it at A Level. The A Level Film Studies course is one filled with opportunities to study the meaning, expression and professionalism behind film. 
 

 

 

Marking & Feedback

 

Academic Enrichment & Extension Opportunities

Film Studies Production

Students work together to produce short films, which contributes to 30% of their overall A Level. Students take turns at undertaking each role on set, ranging from director, to cinematographer, to actor. Students have to work as part of a team, whilst also focusing on both their verbal and written communication skills. Students also interact with the wider local community, as they are able to film on-location. 

Subject Ambassadors

Our A Level Film students have taken on a supportive subject-friend role, supporting younger students, within our KS3/4 Film lessons. These students are empowered to share their knowledge and understanding of how films create meaning.

Extracurricular Filming Opportunities

Outside of lessons, students have the opportunity to undertake film projects on behalf of the school community, in addition to the wider BEST community. Students have filmed and edited school tours, nativities, promotional videos, end of year videos and much more. 

Lecture Opportunities

Another aspect which helps enrich our students' lives professionally, is our curriculum links to industry. We are fortunate to be able to offer lectures from SWA Alumni who are now industry professionals, in order for first-hand knowledge on what it is like to work in pre-production, production and post-production. Our Alumni are linked to our internally assessed briefs, encouraging a more professional approach from our students.

Film Studies Sixth Form Learning Platform on Google Drive:

Here students are encouraged, reminded, and required to read and make notes from the following areas of wider academic research.

Bank of England Film Competition

As a department, we have won the Bank of England national Film competition twice, and have been highly commended on numerous occasions. This competition runs annually and is a great opportunity for students to develop their burgeoning creative skills.

 

Future Options & Career Opportunities

The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport publishes employment estimates based on the Office for National Statistics surveys. These estimate there were 289,000 UK jobs in film, TV, radio and photography in creative industries in 2019. This number continues to grow exponentially, with Media and Communication roles becoming more readily available and accessible in most organisations.

Studying Film Studies does not just limit you to working with that industry, but enables you to access a plethora of careers such as:

 

Revision Materials

As this is a new course at Samuel Whitbread Academy, revision resources are currently being developed, but there is an initial list of resources below.