AQA GCSE Media Studies examines how media language, representation, and audiences shape our understanding of the world across different platforms (e.g., film, magazines, online). Students develop skills in critical thinking, research, and practical production (creating their own media product). This course provides an excellent foundation for further study at A-Level and careers in journalism, marketing, and digital media.
FOUNDATIONS OF MEDIA LANGUAGE & REPRESENTATION
In this scheme of work, students
explore the key theories and acquire subject terminology linked to media language and media representation
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on how media language is used to create representations of individuals, groups and ideas
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
Google quiz at the foundatioons unit
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Autumn Term
FOUNDATIONS OF MEDIA INDUSTRIES & AUDIENCES
In this scheme of work, students
explore the key theories and acquire subject terminology linked to media industries and media audiences
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on what these texts reveal about the media industry that produced them, and what impact they have on audiences
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
Google quiz at the foundatioons unit
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Autumn Term
NEWSPAPERS
In this scheme of work, students
explore how media producers use the codes and conventions of newspapers to create representations, promote political ideologies and influence audiences
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the newspaper Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically the newspaper CSPs
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Autumn Term
PRINT ADVERTISING
In this scheme of work, students
explore how media producers use the codes and conventions of print advertising to create representations of brands, products, individuals and groups
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the OMO print advert Close Study Product (CSP)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically the OMO CSP
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Autumn Term
MAGAZINES
In this scheme of work, students
explore how media producers use the codes and conventions of magazine front covers to create representations that appeal to target audiences
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the magazine Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically the magazine CSPs
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Spring Term
VIDEO GAMES
In this scheme of work, students
explore how media producers use the codes and conventions of video games to create representations that appeal to gamers, including narrative, technical, visual, and lexical codes
examine the gameplay, target audience, marketing strategies, and revenue generation
consider the game's social and cultural contexts, potential media effects, and its connections to broader themes within the video game industry, such as media synergy, globalisation, and representations of ethnicity, gender, and class
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically Lara Croft Go and BLACKPINK THE GAME Close Study Products (CSPs)
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
This unit will be assessed alongside all others studied so far as part of the Year 10 mocks at the end of the Summer Term
MUSIC VIDEOS
In this scheme of work, students
explore how media producers use different codes and conventions of music videos to create representations of bands that will appeal to different target audiences
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the music video Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically the music video CSPs
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
This unit will be assessed alongside all others studied so far as part of the Year 10 mocks at the end of the Summer Term
YEAR 10 REVISION & NEA LAUNCH
In this scheme of work, students
revisit and revise each of the Close Study Products (CSPs) that have been studied so far
revisit and revise each of the key theories across all four areas of the theoretical framework
practise their extended writing skills by answering a range of past questions from GCSE Media Studies Paper 1
will be introduced to the requires of their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) and instructed to begin their planning
Students are assessed
formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
by undertaking a GCSE Media Studies Paper 1 for their Year 10 mocks
TELEVISION
In this scheme of work, students
explore how television producers use technical codes and conventions of TV to appeal to audiences
explore how technical codes of TV have changed since the 1960s and how this has changed the expectations of modern audiences
explore how the characterisations and representations in His Dark Materials differ from An Unearthly Child, and what this suggests about how British society has changed since the 1960s
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the His Dark Materials Close Study Product (CSP)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically this CSP
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
This unit will be assessed alongside all others studied so far as part of the second Year 10 mocks at the end of the Autumn Term
RADIO
In this scheme of work, students
explore how radio producers use technical codes and conventions of radio to appeal to audiences
explore how audience expectations of radio programming have changed since the 1960s, including the impact of media convergence
explore how commercial radio differs from BBC radio
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the Kiss FM Close Study Product (CSP)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically this CSP
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
This unit will be assessed alongside all others studied so far as part of the second Year 10 mocks at the end of the Autumn Term
FILMS
In this scheme of work, students
compare differences in the production, marketing, distribution and merchandising between big budget Hollywood films like Black Widow and small, independent films like I, Daniel Blake
consider the state of diversity in film production, with a particular focus on women directors, and the impact this has on the type of narratives and characterisations
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the Black Widow and I, Daniel Blake Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically these CSPs
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Spring Term
TV ADVERTISING
In this scheme of work, students
explore how TV advertisers use technical codes and conventions of television and cinema to appeal to audiences, and to create representations of brands, products, individuals and groups
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on the Galaxy Chocolate and NHS Represent Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically this CSP
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Spring Term
ONLINE, SOCIAL AND PARTICIPATORY MEDIA - MARCUS RASHFORD & KIM KARDASHIAN
In this scheme of work, students
explore how celebrity influencers use the codes and conventions of social media to create representations of celebrities that appeal to their target fandom
develop their ability to analyse and discuss media texts with a specific focus on Marcus Rashford and Kim Kardashian Close Study Products (CSPs)
develop their ability to write critically about media texts and theories, specifically the Marcus Rashford and Kim Kardashian CSPs
Students are assessed
Formatively throughout the scheme of work (written tasks and classroom discussions)
A formal, summative, written assessment at the end of the Spring Term
The final version of the students' coursework must be handed in by 1st March in Year 11. This gives teachers the time to mark the work thoroughly, moderate for accuracy and prepare samples to send to the exam board.
Throughout the two year course, students will have opportunities to:
revisit and revise key subject knowledge
practise their essay writing skills by answering a range of past questions from GCSE Media Studies Papers 1 and 2