The A Level Film Studies students recently attended a study day on the aesthetics of Koren cinema at the BFI Southbank in Central London.
The event focused on the representations of gender and social class via a close analysis of the 2019 Academy Award winning Korean film Parasite (Dir, Bong Joon-Ho). Throughout the day we examined the production, political, cultural and social contexts of the film, looking at ways these affect the film’s aesthetic.
The interactive introduction to the text also included a screening of the full film, offering a fantastic chance to see Parasite on the big screen while preparing for the Global Cinema section of the curriculum.
During the day students examined the aesthetics specific to Bong’s films, in connection to particular contexts that shaped it; and applied it to analyse key sequences from Parasite. In the post-screening discussion, students paid attention to recurring motifs and spatial construction throughout the film, focusing on their relationship to representations of family and gender. Students also considered the wider context of recent Korean social and political history.
The study day was led by Professor Jinhee Choi from Kings College London who has lectured in Korea, the USA as well as in the UK. She was able to provide a fascinating insight into the cultural history of Korean cinema as well as a larger consideration of recent political and social developments in the country.
Korean Cinema is just one of the exciting topics studied on the A Level Film Studies course. From Surrealism and World Cinema to Contemporary Hollywood Cinema - we cover it all! If you are in Year 11 and would like to find out more about the course, drop in to see Mr Johnson, Mrs Evans, Mrs Crowther-Green or Miss Fernando in rooms 41 or 42 at Green Lane or Mr Roberts at Gosfield Road.
Mr Johnson and Mrs Evans
On 5th March , our GCSE Drama students went to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to watch a live performance of Loot by Joe Orton. The play is a dark comedy about a bank robbery, a family funeral, and a coffin with a surprising secret, all leading to a series of lies, cover-ups, and chaos. The show featured quick dialogue, lively physical comedy, and unexpected twists. Our students really enjoyed the performance and learned a lot about how professionals bring a classic play to the stage, which supports their GCSE Drama studies.
Our recent Pop-Up Prom Boutique events at the Green Lane and Gosfield sites were a fantastic success. The events provided students with the chance to try on a variety of beautiful prom dresses and enjoy a fun, supportive styling experience. It was wonderful to see so many students attending with their friends, exploring different styles, and sharing the excitement of preparing for prom. The atmosphere was full of energy and positivity, and many students left feeling confident and excited about their prom look. Overall, the evenings were a wonderful success and it was lovely to see students feeling confident, happy and excited for their upcoming prom. Mrs Asghar
On Friday 13 th March, our Sixth Form Photography students had the opportunity to take part in something a little different when we welcomed back former pupil and professional photographer, Angela Ogunfojuri, to speak about her career. During the session, Angela shared insights into her unconventional route into the photography industry, discussing the experiences, challenges and opportunities that have shaped her professional journey. Students were fascinated to hear about the realities of working in the creative sector and the different pathways that can lead to a successful career. She also got a chance to catch up with Mr Taylor who was her Economics Teacher when she was in the Sixth Form. The talk sparked a lively discussion, with students asking thoughtful and insightful questions about developing a portfolio, building a career in photography and navigating the industry. We are extremely grateful to Angela for giving up her time to return to school and speak with our students. Her willingness to share her experiences provided valuable inspiration and she proved to be a fantastic role model for our aspiring photographers.
Our debate club recently hosted an engaging Teacher vs Student debate on the motion: “This house would allow all mobile phones to be used in school for research.” This was a relevant topic as the use of mobile phones in schools is a current news story! Both teams delivered thoughtful arguments, lively rebuttals, and demonstrated excellent public speaking skills. Overall, the winners were the teachers!
The British Science Week marble run activity took place on Wednesday after school. It was a real fun activity and pupils immersed themselves fully in a competitive manner. Sami and Labibul were the winners but the others did incredibly well. Well done to all the students who took part - Sara, Hanna, Sami, Labibul, Gabrieele, Illarion and Arthur
Dr Lara Akinnawonu (class of 2017) joined a group of our Year 9 Lymington Fields students today via Teams students to share her experiences of working in medicine. During the session, she gave students an insight into a “day in the life of a doctor”, explaining that the role is varied, fast-paced, and filled with constant learning. She also spoke about the key skills that make a good doctor, highlighting the importance of strong communication, empathy, and a commitment to continually developing knowledge and understanding. Thank you to Dr Lara for taking the time to inspire our students and give them a valuable glimpse into a career in healthcare.
Yesterday, the Year 8 boys competed in the annual Essex 7s tournament hosted by New Hall School. Robert Clack faced three tough fixtures in the main Cup competition, beating Brentwood and Westcliff, drawing against King John, and narrowly losing to Campion. This performance saw the Year 8s progress to the Cup semi-final against a strong Woodlands side. Robert Clack delivered an outstanding performance, securing a 20–10 victory. The boys then advanced to the final against a strong Campion team. It was a highly competitive game throughout, with the score 5–5 at half-time and 10–10 at full-time. A golden try was needed to decide the winner. Unfortunately, Campion scored first, meaning they were crowned overall champions, with Robert Clack finishing as worthy runners-up. Well done to the boys on a well-earned achievement. Compared to last year, when they did not win a single group game, this represents excellent progress. Outstanding work!
We were proud to welcome back former student Jack Cooper to speak with our Year 9 cohort about his journey into the construction industry via Teams. After leaving Sixth Form in 2025, Jack secured a degree apprenticeship with The Hill Group, where he now works as a Technical Coordinator. He shared valuable insight into the apprenticeship route, highlighting how subject choices, extracurricular involvement, and developing transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and resilience helped prepare him for the workplace. Students were particularly interested in hearing about his day-to-day role — from reviewing plans and liaising with teams to solving on-site challenges — as well as how he balances university study alongside hands-on industry experience as part of his degree apprenticeship. Jack also spoke about the impact of our partnerships with organisations such as Construction Youth Trust, which provide mentoring and support for students pursuing careers in construction. His journey is a fantastic example of the diverse and rewarding pathways available after school. We are incredibly grateful to Jack for returning to inspire the next generation — and we look forward to seeing many more students follow in his footsteps.
This half term, the Robert Clack Senior Debate Squad had the opportunity to visit the local primary school, Grafton, to participate in a Q&A session and deliver a showcase debate. The motion considered whether primary or secondary school provides a better environment for children’s development. The teams were mixed, allowing the older students to mentor the younger pupils. Well done to all Grafton and Robert Clack students who took part. We look forward to visiting again in the future.
On Thursday 13 th February we held the final presentations of our Sixth Form Entrepreneur Academy — Dragon’s Den style — and our students absolutely delivered. The brief: Create a product or service for 16–21 year olds that could be used by college or university students. It could be an invention or an innovation, tailored to a specific audience, with full cost research and a clear business case. The results? Innovative ideas. Professional presentations. Exceptional teamwork. 🏆 Winners: Imperium – an inventive mobile banking app designed specifically for the student market. A genuinely original concept, clearly aligned to the needs of their target audience. 🥈 Runners-up: Magniglasses – a smart glasses concept with a more affordable, accessible design. A brilliant example of innovation with commercial awareness. Every team impressed our judges with: • The quality of their ideas • Confident, professional pitching • Strong market research and costings • Clear marketing strategies It was fantastic to see many teams applying insights from our guest speakers — and even incorporating Out of Home advertising into their marketing plans following their visit to Bauer Media Group . A huge thank you to our volunteers and judges who generously gave up their time to support and challenge our students. The future of entrepreneurship is in very safe hands.