FACULTY OF ENGLISH, MEDIA & DRAMA

English

Introduction

English is a compulsory core subject at Chingford School. All pupils will study for two GCSEs in English lessons – GCSE English and GCSE English Literature. The course is therefore an integrated course with considerable overlap between the two GCSEs.

Topics covered

Pupils will study the following:

• a Shakespeare text such as “Romeo & Juliet”
• a modern novel such as “Of Mice & Men”, “Lord of the Flies” or “To Kill a Mockingbird”
• an aspect of the Media, for example a film review or an analysis of a scene in a film
• a pre-Twentieth Century prose text, such as “Great Expectations”
• original writing – this may be autobiographical, descriptive or creative writing
• a modern play, for example ‘An Inspector Calls’ or ‘A View from the Bridge’
• poems from the Anthology by poets like Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage and pre-1914 writers and a selection of poems from other cultures

Assessment and Coursework

Pupils’ Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing skills are all assessed as part of the course, through coursework and examination.

Progression

Media Studies

Introduction

This course offers pupils the opportunity to examine media industries, texts and practices. It takes advantage of the pupils’ knowledge of television, film, magazines and the Internet. It also encourages them to look more closely at less familiar but equally important forms of media.

The coursework is mainly based on theory, but one coursework component provides the opportunity for pupils to develop their practical skills, including ICT skills, and their creativity, in the production of their own media texts.

Aims

• to develop the pupils’ media literacy skills and to enable them to achieve an improved understanding in their knowledge, experience and enjoyment of the media;
• to develop the pupils’ technical and creative production skills and to provide enjoyable opportunities to utilise ICT.

Skills required

• organisation and the ability to stick to deadlines
• a willingness to learn new skills, terms and concepts;
• knowledge and understanding of a range of media texts;
• the ability to analyse and interpret the context and meanings of these media texts;
• knowledge of production and the use of technical skills including ICT;
• written communication skills.

• Topics Currently Studied:

• an introduction to key Media terms and concepts
• the codes and conventions of Television Soap Operas
• Television Situation Comedy and Music Magazines
• to produce an advertising campaign for a new perfume
• the representation of ethnicity in film
• the production, audiences and messages of cross media Advertising and News

Assessment

There are both written examinations and a coursework element to the assessment.

Paper One:
Textual analysis of an unseen moving image [Television Situation Comedy]
OR Textual analysis of an unseen print extract [Music Magazine] [25% of the overall GCSE]

Paper Two:
Cross-Media Topics [Advertising or News] [25% of the overall GCSE]

Coursework:
Media Portfolio - Two written assignments and one practical production and evaluation, each of between 500 -1500 words. [50% of the overall GCSE]

The Future

The Media Studies GCSE focuses on modern forms of technology and communication, which will be useful to the pupils in their study of other GCSE subjects and will prepare them to meet the demands of an increasingly media saturated society.

The pupils will have the opportunity to become familiar with the roles of media professionals and the technology available to them. Furthermore the practical production will provide an insight into employment opportunities in the expanding media industries. Both the analytical and practical skills developed during this course will be greatly appreciated by pupils, as the media have increasing significance for the future!

Restrictions

The written requirements for both coursework and examinations should be taken into consideration.

Pupils must also consider that the practical side of the course is limited to one print project during the two years of study and there is still a lot of theory to study as well.

Drama

Introduction and Topics Studied

Drama in Years 10 and 11 is a GCSE subject that offers pupils the opportunity to explore all areas of the arts and both theory and practical work are important components of the course. Themes and ideas are explored [through discussion, improvisation, role play, working in a variety of groups, exploring drama form] and then given dramatic expression. The stimulus for these themes and ideas can include paintings, poems, literature, newspaper reports, myths, legends, play texts and personal experience. There is also the opportunity of visiting professional performances of Drama.

Drama is a group activity and, therefore, the pupil will need the following skills to enjoy the course and to be successful:

• An interest in Drama and the theatre.
• A willingness to co-operate with other people.
• (You will be asked to work with every member in the group)
• The ability to be critical of your own work.
• The ability to value criticism directed at yourself.
• The ability to organise and motivate yourself.
• A certain amount of self-confidence. (You will perform in front of a live audience)
• The ability to complete assignments on time.
• A good attendance and punctuality record.

It is important to remember that Drama is not all about acting but requires care and respect for others. Different pupils find different parts of the course interesting, the practical and the theoretical, but you must be willing to have a go at them all. Like most things, the harder you work the more you enjoy it and the more success you will have. Due to the nature of the course, each pupil is dependent on each other, particularly through important rehearsal periods and therefore pupils will need to have exhibited a good attendance record. To achieve a high grade, pupils will need to spend extra time outside of lessons in rehearsal and performance. Your first performance will take place at lunchtime before the October half term and you will have to attend all rehearsals and performance dates in order to pass.

Assessment

Paper 1 Drama Coursework [60%]

Unit One: Drama Exploration I [Thematic]. In the past we have looked at the themes of
madness, prison life and violence.
Teacher assessed practical work supported by a portfolio of documentary
evidence consisting of three separate written pieces: each piece covering four
sides of A4.

Unit Two: Drama Exploration II [A whole play script]. In the past we have studied “Blood Brothers” and “Hang Up”.
Teacher assessed practical work supported by a portfolio of documentary
evidence consisting of three separate written pieces: each piece covering four
sides of A4.

Paper 2 Drama Performance [40%]

Externally assessed practical examination of one of the following options - Option A: Devised Performance, OR Option C: Scripted Performance. This means an examiner will watch you perform in front of a live audience and grade your acting ability. This exam will take place at the very end of Year 11.

Progression