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Highworth Grammar School

Film Studies A level

Highworth Grammar School

Highworth Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Ashford, TN24 8UD

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Arts, Media and Publishing

Available start dates

Available start dates

Monday, 01 September 2025
Highworth Grammar School
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
NULL

Application Instructions

***** Please note, applications have now closed for September 2026 Sixth Form Admissions *****


Applications Open - Midday, 9 January 2026

Applications Close - Midday, 6 February 2026

School Entry Requirements: -

As a basic entry requirement to join our Sixth Form, you must have achieved at least 6 GCSE subjects at Grade 6 or above including:

at least a Grade 5 in English

at least a Grade 5 in Mathematics

and the specific entry requirements for each of your subjects.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices ***Now Closed***

Course Summary

The course builds on the knowledge students have already gained informally of film and cinema. They will engage with a wide range of different kinds of films, developing their creativity and practical skills in both audio visual and written forms. A variety of forms of assessment are used, with the intention of producing imaginative, active learners.

Please note that some films studied will carry an 18 certificate. BBFC certification is ‘advisory’ and films classified 18 in a non-commercial educational context, mediated through a teacher, is permitted and accepted by the BBFC as representing exceptional viewing conditions.

Course Details

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking
Students will study the following films from the specification:
Two films from Hollywood 1930–1990
  • Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958) BBFC rating PG
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Forman, 1975) BBFC rating 15

Two American films made since 2005

  • La La Land (Damien Chazelle, 2016) BBFC rating 12A
  • Beasts of The Southern Wild (Behn Zeitlin, 2012) BBFC 12A
One documentary film
  • Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley, 2012) BBFC rating 12A
One compilation of short films
  • These will vary
Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives
Students will study the following films from the specification:
Two British films made since 1995
  • Trainspotting (Danny Boyle, 1996) BBFC rating 18
  • Sweet Sixteen (Ken Loach, 2002) BBFC rating 18
Two global films – one European and one produced outside of Europe
  • El Laberinto Del Fauno - Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo Del Toro, 2006) BBFC rating 15
  • City of God - Cidade De Deus (Fernando Mierelles, 2002) BBFC rating 18
Film Movements – silent cinema – one silent film or group of films
  • A range of Buster Keaton films
Film Movements – Experimental film 1960–2000 – one film
  • Vivre Sa Vie (My Life to Live) (Jean-Luc Godard, 1965) BBFC rating 15.

Component 3: Production

Students will produce:

  • either a short film (4–5minutes) or a screen play for a short film (1600–1800 words) plus a digitally photographed storyboard of a key section from the screen play
  • for both options, students will produce an evaluative
  • analysis (1250–1500 words)

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Component 1: Varieties of film and filmmaking (35%)
Written Examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

Component 2: Global filmmaking perspectives (35%)
Written Examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

Component 3: Production (30%)
Non-examined assessment (coursework)

Entry requirements

Students will need to have achieved a minimum of Grade 6 in a text based humanities subject.

Additional information

https://www.highworth.kent.sch.uk/214/subject-pages/subject/21/film-studies

For more courses like this, check our courses page.