Film Studies is recognised year on year as one of the best performing departments for A-Level results in this school. Our A-Level examination results have proven to be the best in the school with Year 13 Film Studies students exceeding their target grades and ALL Year 13 Film studies students gaining A* to B grade. It offers a complimentary mix of academic study and practical film making. Students will study films as core texts for critical analysis and learn to appreciate the craft of film making before creating their own short film. Film Studies at Wales High School is an ideal subject for the development of analytical and critical thinking skills, highly prized by universities and employers alike, and for those students who wish to develop a creative appreciation of this art form.
Film Studies works well with: History, English A Level choices, Sociology and Psychology, Modern Languages, Art, Music, Theatre Studies and Ethics. If you are a science based student, think carefully about your A Level course selection; universities and employers are looking for a fully rounded young adult; choosing Film Studies as your third A level option could be a wise move, enabling you to showcase creative thinking and communication skills.
This subject has the potential to secure you an A*, A or B grade through our reputation as one of the top performing A-Level departments in the whole country. With our outstanding track record, we help students gain access to the most challenging and respected universities, whatever their chosen specialism as an undergraduate. Year 13 students gaining A* in their Film Studies have used this result to gain places on prestigious university courses: Durham University for Modern Languages and the University of York for History of Art.
We have students who have successfully gained employment, directly after A Level examination, on apprenticeship schemes and post graduate students working in the Film and Media industries throughout the history of this long established department. For future employment opportunities there are a wide variety of career roles within the creative industries: regionally, our students have gone on to work in film and television in roles as diverse as being a sound engineer to film producer; national and international employment has also been secured by our students from placements with the BBC to work in Australia, in film and television.
Students will be given opportunities to participate in film screenings /master classes /work experience /national and international film competitions.
• 5 GCSEs 9 – 5 including English.
• Students are not required to have studied the subject at GCSE.
Over two years, students study:
• 70% examination – in the form of 2 examination papers based on the study of 11 core film texts: Hollywood – classic and new; US independent film; UK film; European film; World film; Documentary; Silent film; Avante Garde film.
• 30% practical production – through the study of a Short film compilation to enable the student to produce their own short film. Students submit individual creative and written work.
Students will have open access to production and post-production facilities and can expect to be fully supported in the practical elements of the course via our Media Technician who is a practicing expert in the field of film making. The department has an enviable reputation for winning film competitions, helping the creative student to showcase their film making talents on the national and international stage. All student films are presented at the annual Media Showcase ‘Departmental Oscars’.
There is an expectation that students come to this subject with the ability to think creatively and dedicate time out of lessons to complete independent research tasks, film viewings and practical production work.