As we progress into the 21st century, communications are becoming faster and faster and faster. Think of the millions of different media images you are bombarded with every day. It is as important now to be able to read and make sense of those images, as it has been to be able to read ordinary text. If you do not know how to read the messages coming at you from TV, the Internet, your smart phone, advertising etc., then you may become very lost and misled in the 21st century. You also need to have a good idea of how those messages are made, and who is making them, so that you may quickly become aware if someone (or some corporation!) is trying to manipulate your thoughts and feelings.
Media Studies is also about appreciating the skill and creativity which goes into the production of media texts. Just as analysing the different techniques used in the creation of a poem or novel helps you appreciate the talent of the writer, so does learning about media techniques help you appreciate the skill with words and pictures that the creators of a media text have to possess.
Media Studies also deals with the very latest ideas, although you do need to have some understanding of the history of media (particularly how new technological developments have changed things), the focus of your studies is what is happening right now, buzzing round the airwaves of the globe.
How is Media a Sacred Subject?
Media opens up for learners the possibility of being key influencers and transformational leaders at a local, national and global level. Through the powers of literacy and oracy being able to identitfy and convey injustice, being the voice for the vulnerable in our global community or others without a voice. Media calls for the formation of learners who prioritise the importance of justice, equality, truth and the common good of all people at a global level.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Media Studies
Why Choose Media Studies?
We live in a media-saturated world. From YouTube on your phone, to TV ads to blockbuster movies, to posters at the bus stop, to the music in your earbuds, you are surrounded by media messages for most of your waking hours. How do you make sense of them all? How do you know what they are trying to communicate – both on an obvious and a less obvious level? How do you know how much you have been influenced – consciously or subconsciously – by these media messages? Does the media reflect your reality, or control the way you view it?
It’s been said that media literacy is as important to living in the 21st century as regular literacy was to the 20th century. Media Studies helps you develop an important set of skills that will help you navigate the rest of your education and then, your working life. Media Studies will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of:
- Communication
• Design
• Planning
• Presentation
• Evaluation
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Research
• Story-telling
• Technology
• Politics
• Business
• Culture
• Citizenship
At KS4 Media Studies is available as an early entry GCSE option to be chosen for the start of Year 9 with the examination to be held at the end of Year 10.
Early option Media is an exciting, popular course which engages students with both contemporary and historical media products on a number of topics such as: magazines, marketing, newspapers, print advertising radio, video games, television, music and online media
Summary of Assessment:
Component 1: Exploring the Media
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
40% of qualification
Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
30% of qualification
Component 3: Creating Media Products
Non-exam assessment
30% of qualification
Key Stage 5
A-Level Media Studies
Media Studies tests practical and analytical skills, and requires an up-to-date knowledge of how media affects all levels of society in our Communication Age. From advertising to movies to TV dramas to magazines to social networks, media forms shape how we think about and react to the world we live in. It’s vital to understand how different media influence our thinking, and increasingly, it’s vital to be able to produce our own media texts in order to communicate with others.
Media literacy is key to 21st century success. Even if you don’t plan on having a media career, in today’s multi-tasking work environment you will be called on to create videos, marketing copy, promotional images, web pages, and social media posts — and that might just be as part of your search for a job!
At KS5, Media is a popular and high achieving subject which consistently performs above the national average and is consistently within the top 10-20% of schools nationally. In previous years our production work has been commended for Royal Television Society awards and many former All Saints students are now on media related degrees or working in the media, like Sophie Evans who is now working as a journalist at The Daily Mirror after a stint at The Daily Mail.
A level Media Studies offers a broad, engaging and stimulating course of study which enables learners to:
- demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
• demonstrate a critical approach to media issues
• demonstrate appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture, politics and the economy
• develop an understanding of the dynamic and changing relationships between media forms, products, industries and audiences
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the global nature of the media
• apply theoretical knowledge and specialist subject specific terminology to analyse and compare media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed
• make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
• engage in critical debate about academic theories used in media studies
• appreciate how theoretical understanding supports practice and practice supports theoretical understanding
• demonstrate sophisticated practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.
We have an annual trip to the Aesthetica Short Film Festival where students are able to explore short film in a variety of different genres and attend masterclasses by media professionals.
We have also been visited by Panorama’s Richard Bilton whose work was grilled by All Saints students, he was also offered the chance to critique students’ own Media productions in the post production stage.
Summary of Assessment
Component 1: Media Products, Industries and Audiences
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
35% of qualification
Component 2: Media Forms and Products in Depth
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
35% of qualification
Component 3: Cross-Media Production
Non exam assessment
30% of qualification
Extra Curricular
At Film Club there is a chance to watch some of the latest, classic and most interesting movies around. Each new member gets a free Film Club Lanyard and online account with access to read and create your own film reviews. Any suggestions on what films you would like to see are most welcome. Media Studies students will have access to everything they need to produce high quality media products of their own. Including:
Apple Mac computers
HD Video Cameras
Digital SLR Cameras
Stills Cameras
