Media
We have a vision for a Remarkable curriculum in Media Studies and aim to develop our students’ confidence in critically engaging with the new digital age and the significant role it has within our society. Media studies is important in developing students' communication skills and cultural understanding and our courses at each level provide students with opportunities to develop theoretical knowledge and a range of practical skills of different disciplines. The freedom to be creative represents the overriding intent of each media course, which is to encourage passionate, personal interaction with the vast, creative and constantly evolving industry.
Developing Moral Capital
In Media Studies we encourage students to carefully consider and make responsible choices about their moral actions. Every learner will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of film & television production and apply these skills to a range of practical scenarios. Therefore it is vitally important that learners are respectful of equipment and resources and show responsibility when managing their productions. It is also vitally important that all learners have an appropriate level of challenge which is engaging and motivating, to encourage them to have high aspirations and ambitions which will positively impact their moral development.
Developing Social Capital
Social capital is developed through building our learner's sense of belonging, self esteem and communication skills. We encourage learners to practice different methods of communication from verbal to written and visual and model how to responsibly use social and digital media. These can then be put into practice when working collaboratively in groups to support one another, pitching ideas for filming projects and liaising with peers and clients. Developing social capital encourages learners to build their confidence and interpersonal skills, network with creative individuals and take part in extracurricular activities and projects which in turn, has a positive impact on their personal development and academic achievement.
Developing Cultural Capital
Creativity is one of the top skills required by employers around the world and they want to recruit innovative, creative and resilient people, so developing a student's curiosity and creativity is key to Cultural capital in Media Studies. Cultural capital exists everywhere; on the television, in films and in the digital world which is why experiencing, understanding and actively participating in developing cultural capital is key to our lessons because learners can directly apply this knowledge and experience into their own creative projects. Being equipped with cultural knowledge will benefit our students and provide excellent foundation skills that will further them in their education, careers and social development.
Developing Knowledge Capital
In Media Studies we teach students to analyse and make sense of media messages that surround them constantly. Developing knowledge capital is achieved through relevant and engaging lessons which link directly to modern media, film and television texts. Students develop theoretical knowledge and a range of practical skills of different disciplines, such as pre-production and filming and editing techniques. It is important that learners are not limited financially, so we guarantee that students have access to industry software and equipment which they can borrow from the college. We also want to nurture and support creative talent, so we encourage students to take part in extra curricular activities including British Film Institute programmes and video game workshops led by Signals Media Charity.
Developing Community Capital
In Media Studies we celebrate and embrace cultural diversity through the media texts that we analyse and the practical projects and extra curricular opportunities that learners can get involved in. Students are encouraged to work in groups, collaborate together on practical projects such as filming footage and peer assess each other's work to provide supportive feedback. We want every learner to develop their community capital and have empathy and understanding of the media messages, views and values of others.
Curriculum Roadmaps - KS4
Curriculum Roadmaps - KS5
Key Stage 4
Students will study towards a BTEC Level 2 First Award in Creative Digital Media Production (equivalent to a GCSE award) for 2.5 hours a week. Years 10 and 11 are a combination of coursework and examination preparation. The course is 75% coursework and 25% exam. Coursework units are covered as a series of practical and theory assignments. At the end of Year 11 students are assessed on their ability to: recall and communicate their knowledge of media products and audiences. The subjects covered within this course are;
Core unit: Planning and Pitching a Digital Media Product
Digital Moving Image Production (Film Trailers)
Digital Publishing Production: Print (Magazine Production)
Digital Media Sectors and Audiences – External Exam (1 hour)
This course is perfect for students who are creative and analytical, have a high interest in Media and would like to develop understanding of a range of Media topics.
Key Stage 5
BTEC Media: Digital Film & Video Production
Students will develop theoretical knowledge and a range of practical skills of different disciplines, such as pre-production and filming and editing techniques. The course will enable the learners to plan and film a variety of projects including creating a short film, a music video and a stop motion animation project. Students will carry out all of the necessary work required to plan, film and edit a production and they will be expected to project manage their productions to a professional standard.
The course consists of five units in total. Two units are mandatory and three are chosen to provide you with a wide range of technical and practical skills within your chosen specialism. Four of the units are assessed internally through coursework assignments and the fifth unit is a ‘commission’ task, which is set by BTEC and assessed externally.
BTEC Media: Digital Production
Students will develop theoretical knowledge and a range of practical skills of different disciplines such as pre-production, writing styles and techniques, image manipulation, illustrating and producing a magazine using industry software. The course will enable learners to plan and create a variety of projects including a digital magazine, advertisements, a portfolio of copy written in different styles and a children’s book. Students will carry out all of the necessary work required to plan and produce their media products and they will be expected to project manage their productions to a professional standard.
The course consists of five units in total. Two units are mandatory and three are chosen to provide you with a wide range of technical and practical skills within your chosen specialism. Four of the units are assessed internally and the fifth unit is a ‘commission’ task, which is set by BTEC and assessed externally.
Access Course - BTEC Media: Digital Media Production
This course gives students the skills required to excel in the field of Digital Media Production. Learners will cover:
Digital production project
Planning and pitching a digital media product
Writing for digital media
Digital graphics
Publishing for digital platforms
Digital development
Digital testing/campaign management
75% is assessed through six internally assessed coursework projects and 25% is assessed via a controlled assessment, based on a theoretical brief supplied by the exam board.