“Valuing Learning,
Valuing Each Other”

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Email: office@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk

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Film Studies

What will I learn?

This specification comprises 4 units of work completed over two years.  The AS comprises two units and can be completed in the first year. 

 What are the entry requirements?

5 A* - C in any subjects at GCSE.  You do not need to have studied Media or Film before as the course builds on your existing general knowledge of film.  Students on this course should have a love of watching films and a desire to find out more about how films and the film industry work.  In addition, the course will study film theory and practical criticism of film.

 How will I be assessed?

The AS Units:

Unit 1- 20%: Exploring film form.  This is internally assessed and involves you completing two pieces of coursework.  The first will be the detailed analysis of a short extract from a film of your choice.  The second piece will be a creative project such as an outline for a new film or a short film sequence.

 Unit 2- 30%: British and American Film.  This will be assessed through an externally set examination.  You will study the relationship between the film producers, the audiences for the films and the films themselves.  This unit will also cover British film genre and stars as well as a comparative study of two or more American films dealing with a specific theme or genre.

 The A2 Units:

Unit 3- 25%: Film Research and Creative Projects.  This is an internally assessed coursework unit. 40% of your portfolio will comprise a small research project into a film area of interest to you such as a film star or film genre.  The rest of the portfolio will be a creative project, to be decided in consultation with your tutor from a range of options available.  This does not involve actually making a film.

 Unit 4- 25%: Issues and Debates.  This is an external examination studying contemporary issues in the film industry.  You will need to answer three questions one on World Cinema, one on Spectatorship as well as one on a film you have studied from a list provided by the examination board.

 Future opportunities

This is an ideal course for people who want to learn more about how film and the film industry work.  There are many courses at university which allow you to study film further and it also complements other academic literary courses such as English Literature. 

 Is there anything I need to know?

This course combines well with other Advanced level courses.  As 45% of your work is coursework it offers a break from examinations.  It is a mix of academic theory and practical film study which appeals to many students.  It will also be great fun!

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

Ofsted Inspectors