Mathematics - Year 7

Click here to return to our Media and Film Studies curriculum overview

Below you will find more specific information about the curriculum in Media Studies for students who have chosen this subject for GCSE, explaining to you what students will learn, when, why and how. There is also information about how parents/carers are able to support students in their learning, extra-curricular opportunities in this subject and how it links to other subjects and the wider world.

Subject Key Concepts              

    #1 Media Language or Film Form      #2 Audience      #3 Industry      #4 Representation

#5 Context     #6 Theory     #7 Ideology       #8 Narrative       #9 Genre

Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.

Curriculum Overview for the Year 

Please click here for a PDF curriculum overview.

While this information covers a broad range of areas, please do get in touch with the Subject Leader Mrs Pedder if you have any questions.

Please click on the questions below to find out more.

Which exam board will students be examined by?

EDUQAS

How are groups organised?

Classes are mixed ability. The students have 5 one-hour lessons per fortnight

What characteristics does a successful student have in this subject?

The most successful students in this subject will enjoy analysing all types of media texts and learning new vocabulary in order to do so. Writing in a variety of forms is essential- both short answers and essays appear in the exam. Students will also need to be creative and enjoy practical tasks such as taking photos, filming, editing and using canva and/or pixlr. 

How will students learn at this level?

• Using google drive and google slides
• Analysing and annotating different media texts
• Practising different practical skills (taking photos and editing)
• Researching contextual information
• Using the internet to support your learning
• Writing practice answers to exam questions

How will students’ learning be assessed at this level?

• Component 1 Exploring the Media Written examination at the end of the course: 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of qualification 80 marks
• Component 2 Understanding Media Forms and Products Written examination at the end of the course: 1 hour 30 minutes 30% of qualification 60 marks
• Component 3 Creating Media Products Non-exam assessment: internally assessed and externally moderated by WJEC 30% of qualification 60 marks

When do key assessments take place?

Component 1 & 2: June/July of Y11 (see exam timetable for precise date)

Component 3: March-June Y10

How can parents/carers support students’ learning?

Encourage use and revision of materials available in your child's individual media folder on google drive.  Encourage analysis of all media used at home (Films/TV/Radio/Magazines etc.)  Ensure practical tasks are planned and completed (taking photos or filming) within the Comp 3 timeframe.

What equipment do students need for this subject?

Essential school equipment

How does this subject link to other subjects?

• English: Analysis and terminology and writing skills 
• History:  Contextual understanding of how the set texts reflect the time they were made
• Drama: Participating on filming and photos, composing scenes, thinking about performance, costume etc.
• Art: Planning, drawing storyboards
• IT: Computer work on the internet and programmes such as canva, pixlr, movie maker, final cut pro and google classroom etc.
  

What websites or resources may be helpful to support students’ learning?

Exam board information: http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/media-studies/gcse/eduqas-gcse-media-studies-spec-from-2017-e.pdf

Set texts we study in media:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11W8XIvzNHrpVQQQAgNvuC_OjC3Bzh_bJ/view?usp=sharing

What extra-curricular or enrichment opportunities are available for students in this subject at this level?

Participation in the schools award winning media club NewsKnight
Lunchtimes available for help/use of green screen with Component 3 is taking place.

At least one trip during the study of the course.  GCSE have previously been to Sky Studios, Warner Bros.  The Making of Harry Potter and The Guardian HQ

What sort of careers can this subject lead to?

Media is a very complimentary subject for an array of careers due to its written and practical content. Studying media can help with history, politics and English related courses/jobs as well as a step towards a career in one of the UK's fastest growing industries with film and TV studios on our doorstep where there are thousands of job roles and opportunities to choose from.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/work-experience

https://careers.sky.com/earlycareers/work-experience-opportunities

http://www.itvjobs.com/workinghere/entry-careers/work-experience/

What does student work look like in this subject at this level?

Classwork includes annotating media products with codes and conventions and applying these to written exam answers. Students also research and revise contexts of set texts from era's such as the 1970's.

Students also produce print adverts, film posters and other print products to practice the skills provided to make their NEA. 

How does this subject support a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the needs of all students, and developing traditional core skills?

• A large scope of the media industries covered throughout the course

1. The course allows for different abilities and learning styles to flourish through both practical and written skillsets
2. A subject that has analysis at its core. 

How does this subject promote creativity, critical thinking, practice, perseverance and resilience, and making links?

1. Throughout studying different texts students are encouraged to create their own versions to a brief. Students also have to respond to a set brief and produce completely original material in response.
2. Interpreting media texts and the connotations created.
3. A completely new subject when students arrive at it in year 10. A whole new language of terminology to learn and apply as well as theories and theorists.

How does this subject encourage enrichment and the development of cultural capital, deep learning, and inclusivity?

1. Gaining an understanding into the media, how it works and how it communicates to/with/at audiences in context.
2. Encouraging students to not take the media for face value but to understand how it is encoded and to question its decoding.
3. A wide range of media covered to suit different interests and abilities. The course also addresses representations from an array of backgrounds which encourages students to discuss them with confidence.