Welcome to the Media Studies Department

“Media are a crucial force in modern societies that have the power to shape our individual imaginations, our identities, and our sense of the world around us.” - Alex Newman

Acting Head of Department:

Acting Heads of Department: Mr Sutcliffe and Mr Patel                
Email: csutcliffe10.310@parkhighstanmore.org.uk and bpatel63.310@parkhighstanmore.org.uk

Introduction

In Media Studies, we inspire young people to become confident active consumers of the media. We aim to provide students with the skills necessary to navigate the everchanging media landscape and ensure they leave our classrooms with an understanding of how and why information is communicated to the masses.  

Throughout their studies, students will learn how the media constructs versions of reality which can shape our perceptions of different social groups. They will also explore how political ideologies can influence media audiences through their choice of messages and representations. Through our selection of set texts as well as a wide range of contrasting unseen products, we aim to encourage compassion in our students so that everyone in our classroom, no matter their gender, race, religion, or sexuality, feel seen and their contributions valued. With an emphasis on both teamwork and resilience in the face of new challenges, we also encourage students to become active and responsible creators of media products by teaching them how to use industry standard software. In the production of both students’ Non-Examined Assessments and throughout the year, we also place a great deal of importance on transferable ‘soft’ skills, such as. communication, time management, organisation, and creativity, all of this will enable them to thrive not just in the media industry but wherever their future may lead.

Key Stage 4 

In Year 10, students introduced to the four elements of the Media Studies theoretical framework: Media Language, Representation, Media Industries, and Media Audiences.  During the course, students will apply this knowledge of the Media Studies framework as they produce their own media artefact for their coursework.  In Year 11, Students will consolidate their understanding of audience, representation theory, media industries, and semiotics with a range of music videos before finishing the course by exploring representations of gender and race in advertising and an industry and audience case study in radio.

All students who follow this course will be given home learning on a weekly basis. These assignments may take the form of reading assignments with comprehension questions, exam practice questions, or practical tasks such as taking photographs or recording video to prepare them for practical lessons. We also recommend that students regularly revise lesson content throughout the course to avoid ‘cramming’ at the end of the course.

Wider reading and additional exam papers are also available to students in the Go Further folder on SharePoint.

In the Summer Term, students will sit an internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout Year 10.  Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

30% of the final grade will be awarded for the students’ Non-Examined Assessment (NEA, or coursework) and this will be completed by the end of the Autumn Term (Year 11).

Additional Information

KS5 Subject information	Subject Careers Information