Media Studies

Why study the media?

The media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. The media have real relevance and importance in our lives today, providing us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and the ability to participate in key aspects of society. The economic importance of the media is also unquestionable. The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase.

How will I be assessed by my teachers?

All students will have a termly summative common assessment task which is levelled using an EDUQAS mark scheme and recorded on G4S.
This will include detailed written feedback from their teacher using the marking feedback codes.
There will be ongoing formative assessment techniques deployed in lesson which could include: short low stakes knowledge tests, exit cards, comparison with model work, use of visualisers to demonstrate on work, completing parts of answers, “live marking” in a lesson, individual questioning, peer and self-review against success criteria.
Homework tasks will be set to support revision and coursework production. Detailed homework tasks such as independent research tasks and analysis of unseen set products will receive written or verbal feedback. Other possible tasks will include keyword-spelling tests, planning responses to exam style questions, and independent revision using SharePoint.

Vision

“The media intervene; they provide us with selective versions of the world, rather than direct access to it.”

^{David Buckingham}

Curriculum Maps

A summary of some of the topics we study are outlined in our curriculum maps:

Key stage 4 curriculum map

Key stage 5 curriculum map

How will my child be assessed?

	Assessment and Feedback Outline Approach
KS4	Each unit has an assessment booklet with summative assessments identified for detailed feedback. Results are recorded on G4S and students will respond to feedback in the booklets. Other key exam questions are identified in schemes of work for detailed feedback, for example on industry context and newspapers using The Sun. There are a wide range of peer and self-assessment opportunities include low stakes tests and comparing answers to model work.
KS5	Every half-term topic delivered has an end of unit written piece which is recorded on G4S. Mock exams in January and June will replace the half term assessments. Feedback will be a mixture of written and verbal feedback talking through key areas with students. Students will be given time in lesson to redraft sections of their written work based on the feedback they have received in class using green pen. Short recap quizzes based on media industry contexts, unseen analysis homework tasks, as well as spelling tests are where peer and self-assessment can be used.

Assessment and Feedback Outline Approach

KS4

Each unit has an assessment booklet with summative assessments identified for detailed feedback. Results are recorded on G4S and students will respond to feedback in the booklets. Other key exam questions are identified in schemes of work for detailed feedback, for example on industry context and newspapers using The Sun. There are a wide range of peer and self-assessment opportunities include low stakes tests and comparing answers to model work.

KS5

Every half-term topic delivered has an end of unit written piece which is recorded on G4S. Mock exams in January and June will replace the half term assessments. Feedback will be a mixture of written and verbal feedback talking through key areas with students. Students will be given time in lesson to redraft sections of their written work based on the feedback they have received in class using green pen. Short recap quizzes based on media industry contexts, unseen analysis homework tasks, as well as spelling tests are where peer and self-assessment can be used.

Copleston High School