Our Sixth Form students studying French and Spanish visited the British Film Institute (BFI) during the Autumn to take part in two subject-specific film workshops linked to their A Level courses. Each session was taught by BFI specialists and took place in the target language, giving students an opportunity to see how far their language skills have progressed in an academic setting beyond the classroom.
The French group explored La Haine (1995) by Mathieu Kassovitz. 
The workshop introduced the context of the New Wave movement in France and examined how directors challenged earlier cinematographic boundaries to bring us what we now know as present day cinema. Students took part in thoughtful discussions, responding independently in French, and gained a clearer sense of the progress they have made across the A Level course. They also valued the chance to practise alongside students from other schools from across the country.
In the following week, the Spanish students attended a parallel workshop on El laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) (2006) by Guillermo del Toro. This session focused on the lingering shadows of the Spanish Civil War and the way the film weaves together history, symbolism, and storytelling. Students considered how del Toro uses cinematic techniques to build meaning and discussed the film’s cultural impact within Spain. Engaging with expert commentary supported their analysis and strengthened their confidence in approaching complex material in Spanish.
Both visits allowed students to connect their classroom study with specialist insight. They represented the College with maturity, contributed well to group discussions, and returned with new perspectives on their language work.
