Media Studies is a KS4 and KS5 subject

This subject offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the key issues and gives them the ability to debate important questions about the media. Students will learn that the media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. Students will develop an appreciation that the media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. Students will also gain insight into the economic importance of the media.

Once students have selected Media Studies at Key Stage 4,  the course focuses predominantly on contemporary media (Spectre Film poster and industry issues, The Guardian front page, The Sun front page, a This Girl Can advert, A GQ magazine front page, a Pride Magazine front page , Radio 4’s The Archers and the video game Fortnite). This is contextualised and enhanced through the exploration of  products from different historical periods (the 1950s Quality Street advert, the 1970s Man with the Golden Gun film poster, Duran Duran’s Rio music video and the first episode of the 1970s The Sweeney).

Through studying both established and evolving media forms, pupils will gain a real awareness of the role of the media in society and culture. The study of a range of rich and stimulating media products is central to this course, working from the product outwards to develop appreciation and understanding of the media.

Students will draw on their existing experience of the media, but will also extend their appreciation and critical understanding through the study of products with which they may be less familiar with, including products for different audiences. Students are also offered  exciting opportunities to develop media production skills. They construct 3 pages of  their own media magazine which responds to a brief set out by the exam board. We follow the EDUQAS exam board.

Our passion and challenge aims to encourage a student’s interest  in all areas of the media and develop their cultural awareness of the impact it can have on society. If pupils choose to study A  Level Media Studies the course is designed to provide a coherent, integrated and in depth approach to studying the media; enabling learners to develop and apply their understanding of the media through both analysing and producing media products in relation to  the key concepts and advanced theoretical approaches and theories.

Students are encouraged to make connections between different media forms and products, between media products and their contexts, and between theory and practical work. In addition, students will develop the ability to reflect critically on both media products and theories used to analyse media products.  Pupils will study a wide range of texts from the mediums of: advertising, film promotion and marketing, music videos, newspapers, video games, radio, TV, magazines and online media. 

The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase. 

Altogether, our curriculum prepares students for an aspirational career path which will enable them to study Film, Media and creative courses at university or enter careers in the Film and Media industry.