Media
Welcome to Media Studies
We aim to broaden the students’ understanding and knowledge of contemporary media texts from traditional print, film and television to developing new media technologies.
Media students need to be enthusiastic consumers of a range of current media platforms. We want students who like to visit the cinema, keep up to date with current affairs, view a range of television shows and read a variety of newspapers and magazines.
We want our students to become well rounded individuals who learn to study the media from a critical and unbiased view. We have a strong emphasis on creativity and originality within the department and 30% of the academic courses involve students creating their own authentic and fully functioning media texts, film scenes, TV credits, magazine articles and websites. We have a fully practical Filmmaking Level 3 BTEC that you can opt for in Sixth Form.
We hope that students who choose to study the media do so with an open mind and have a thirst for knowledge that extends outside of the classroom.
Email the department: seeryc@uptonhigh.co.uk
Curriculum
Intent
The media curriculum is underpinned by engagement with the four key concepts: media language, representation, audience & industry. At GCSE & A Level, learners will focus on theoretical approaches about each of these key concepts and will apply this knowledge to Close Study Products set by the examination board. They will extend their knowledge by exploring contexts surrounding the production and reception of these media products. Learners will demonstrate their understanding by answering short and extended exam questions. They will apply their knowledge by creating authentic and original media texts across different media platforms.
Learners study examples of both historical and contemporary media and will explore a series of 18 close study products during the course. Media texts are chosen from a range of platforms including:
- TV
- Radio
- Film
- Advertising
- Magazine
- Newspaper
- Online Social and Participatory Media
- Video Games
- Music Video
For the BTEC course, learners will also engage with the key concepts and will demonstrate their understanding of the media through extended research and practical projects. They will develop an understanding of the film industry specifically with a practical approach to creating content.
The new BTEC vocational course has lower entry requirements than the A Level course (minimum grade 4) so will encourage a wider range of learners to access this curriculum.
Media Studies provides ample opportunities for learners to develop their cultural capital. The very nature of the course calls for exploration of texts that the learners would not usually engage with, opening debates and exploring wider issues. We study the impact of media texts on society, extending the learner's understanding of the world around them. The study of bias in the media, for example, gives opportunity for cross curricular links with Sociology, Psychology, History, Politics and English. By studying the impact of new technologies learners can better understand their role as an active consumer in today’s overly saturated media world. Learners will develop their media literacy skills across all stages of study.
Enrichment
We offer opportunities for students to see a successful media industry first hand such as with visits to Warner Bros. Studios in Year 10 - trips can be subsidised for disadvantaged students to allow everyone to have the experience. In Sixth Form we have organised visits to local film studios as well as screenwriting workshops. Learners are encouraged to apply for short courses including national experiences at the BFI and BBC. Ms Seery runs the editorial team for the Upton Voice which is run primarily by Media Studies learners.
Department Staff & Responsibilities
- Ms C. Seery – Head of Department
- Mrs A. Hewitt – Media Studies & Film
- Mrs L. Kilgannon - Media Studies & Performing Arts
Homework
KS4 1 x 30 minute per week
KS5 Directed learning including wider reading & terminology quizzes set weekly on Satchel One.
Feedback
The Media department follows the whole school feedback policy. Feedback is regularly given in lessons during retrieval practice and questioning. Written feedback is provided for specific pieces of work and assessments.
Assessment
Media learners will be assessed after each unit of work and in line with the school’s assessment policy. Most of the assessments for GCSE and A Level will be based around analytical and evaluative writing as this accounts for 70% of the course but we will do some practical work too. The BTEC is made up of research and production projects which will be assessed throughout the course.
