Media is all around us and accessed daily through our TV’s, Radios, Internet, Newspapers or Podcasts. It is by far one of the greatest phenomena of the last 100 years.
Media helps not only reflect our attitudes and tastes but also helps to shape them. How this happens and what effect it has on individuals, communities and cultures, are issues at the heart of Media Studies.
In Media Studies at both KS4 & KS5 we assess and analyse a range of different media products, across the worlds of radio, TV, film, new media and print. We investigate the larger businesses responsible for giving us our daily media fix, and the nature of media consumption by different audiences.
We also learn how the media tries to manipulate its audience through the use of particular kinds of language, and we learn to use those tools for ourselves in producing our own original media products.

Meet the team

Rhys Phillips - Head of Media Studies

So why study Media?

As technology, creativity, and competition increases, these skills become more in demand all over the world. Media studies will equip you with the communication and technology skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace, whether in the media industry or not.

Curriculum Overview (Click here)

Our Curriculum Learning Pathway

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Media Studies Curriculum Pathway (PDF)

Key Stage 4

KS4 Exam Board

Pearson BTEC

Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Creative Media Production

Coursework 70% overall grade:

Comprised of Component 1 - Exploring Media Products & Component 2 Developing Digital Media Production Skills

External Assessment 30% overall grade

Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief

The course combines practical and theoretical knowledge – particularly pre-production work and production skills allowing students to gain a valuable insight into the way the media works.

It provides the opportunity to be creative in areas that interest them such as: Film, television and music. For example: Producing their own videos, web designs or recordings. It also allows students to analyse and understand things that they might otherwise have taken for granted, such as the packaging on DVDs or how the opening minutes of a film, radio show or game are designed to grab the audience’s attention.

Media Studies allows students to focus on issues that relate to their everyday lives.

Knowledge/skills gained:

• Students develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and its role in their daily lives
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Pre-production and planning skills like storyboarding, scripting, flat plans, news selection, mock-ups and sketching
• Production skills like photography, filming, recording, editing, and desktop publishing – learn how to use software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After effects
• An understanding of new technologies
• Evaluation skills

Useful Websites:

• www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork
• www.mediaknowall.com/
• https://www.intofilm.org/
• https://www.bfi.org.uk/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/ztnygk7

Key Stage 5

This course covers an extensive range of media skills including pre-production skills, single camera filming, video editing. You will also cover optional units in research skills, animation, the TV and film industries and communication skills. This qualification is the equivalent to 1.5 A Levels.

Supports further progression in creative media education, to an Apprenticeship or entry level employment in the creative industries sector.

You will learn?

• A range of media production skills: print, audio & audio visual.
• How to effectively present your work, gather audience feedback and evaluate your own progress.
• You will also learn about media industries, how they are structured and regulated.

The emphasis of both qualifications is placed on the practical production of media products as well as understanding key concepts within Media texts.

Where could this take you?

This course structure provides you with the skills required to continue your studies at University or immediately pursue a career in the media industry. Journalism, broadcasting, advertising, marketing, illustration, animation, public relations, television and video production are just a few examples of the kinds of courses or careers that studying Media could lead to. This is a dynamic and exciting industry that has much to offer potential new employees. We have had students’ progress from this course going on to study at University and work on films such as James Bond ‘Skyfall’ and most recently the new Star Wars film ‘The Force Awakens’.