• GCSE media studies provides students with a solid understanding of how the media works and the impact it can have on our lives. The subject fosters analytical skills based on the four key areas of the theoretical framework: media language, media representation, media industries and media audiences

• The BHSA curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. In addition to analysing a range of media texts, including the eighteen Close Study Products (CSPs) specified by AQA, students will also acquire the practical skills need to create media products of their own, such as print advertisements, short videos, and newspaper front covers. In this they will apply the theoretical concepts that they learn to their own creative projects, leading to their completion of the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) in Year 11

• Many of the key skills developed in the GCSE media studies course will complement those needed to succeed at the GCSE English curriculum. Both courses examine how meaning is constructed and communicated, and require students to develop skills in critical thinking, speaking and writing. By studying GCSE media studies, even students who are less confident in English can expect to see improvement in their literacy and communication skills

ORACY

• All media studies lessons will include a significant amount of oracy, from discussions of media texts to the presentation of research tasks

CRITICAL WRITING

• Media studies provides students with an opportunity to cultivate their critical writing skills. This will also benefit these students' studies of English Literature and English Language

ASSESSMENT

• Summative assessments are conducted at the end of each unit - we aim to cover around two units in every six to ten week period

• Assessments begin with lower stakes quizzes that assess students' understanding of key theories and subject terminology and progress into more challenging extended writing activities based on the skills needed to approach the AQA GCSE media studies exam papers

• In their Year 10 mock examinations, students complete a Media Studies Paper 1

• In their Year 11 mock examinations, students complete a Media Studies Paper 2

BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING (BfL)

• The BfL policies for Media Studies are the same as those for English and the rest of the school. We have expectations of students behaviour, including full engagement with lessons and the timely completion of all homework tasks and coursework assignments