Media vision
The media plays a central role in contemporary society and culture that is increasing with technological developments all the time. In Media Studies, we aim for students to leave with an awareness of how the media in all its forms shapes our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages it offers. By studying key players in the media industries such as the press, film, marketing, music, gaming, TV and radio, we hope that students will be equipped with a shrewd understanding of the influence of these industries. Students are given the opportunity and skills to compassionately assess a spectrum of different viewpoints and are encouraged to explore media and communication by presenting their own media work with creativity and precision.
Media Studies GCSE at SFX School offers a broad, coherent and engaging course of study which enables learners to:
- demonstrate skills of enquiry, critical thinking, decision-making and analysis
- acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of important media issues
- develop appreciation and critical understanding of the media and their role both historically and currently in society, culture and politics
- make informed arguments, reach substantiated judgements and draw conclusions about media issues
- develop practical skills by providing opportunities for creative media production.
The curriculum offers learners the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of key issues and the ability to debate important questions about the media. It introduces them to a theoretical framework for analysing the media, which also underpins study of the media at AS and A level. Their understanding is contextualised through studies of texts across the 1950s-1980s.
Learners will gain a real awareness of the role of the media in society and culture, through the close study of a range of rich and stimulating texts.
Links will be made for learners between their analytical skills in English and those required for analysing a media text. At Key Stage 3, students will have been introduced to basic concepts of text, purpose and target audience, as well as having opportunities to analyse moving image – all of which will thoroughly prepare them for GCSE Media Studies.
Learners will draw on their existing experience of the media, but will also extend their appreciation and critical understanding through the study of products with which they may be less familiar, including products for different audiences.
Learners will have opportunities to apply their theoretical understanding of the subject through creative, practical productions, designed to engage and challenge them in a variety of ways.
Curriculum team
Mrs J Martin – Media teacher; Head of English
Mr M Woffenden – Media teacher
KS4 courses
GCSE Media Studies – Eduqas (QN 603/1115/0)
Enrichment opportunities
In addition to timetabled lessons, Into Film club is a national scheme which allows students to explore interest in non-mainstream cinema and television. This club is run exclusively for Key Stage 4 at St Francis Xavier.
