Media
| Staff | Mrs Hilary Stevens | - Head of Department |
| Mr Jonathan Snell | - Media Teacher | |
| Mr Andrew Collard | - Media Teacher | |
| Mr Peter Johnson | - Music Tech Teacher | |
| Mr Jim Barnicott | - Media Teacher | |
| Mr Harry Fulcher | - Music Technology Teacher |
Media Statement
Central to our philosophy is freedom of choice and the significance of the student being at the heart of his or her learning are. The Media department has built up a reputation for excellence and innovation, having won national recognition for boys’ performance at ‘A’ Level and a number of awards at regional Digital Arts competitions.
We are firmly committed to the concept of nurturing the creativity of the individual and believe that every single student can bring qualities to their study of this subject which will lead to success. The department is devoted to fostering new skills through experimentation with state-of-the-art technology and developing their original inventiveness through enrichment opportunities.
We offer:
AQA AS / A2 Media Studies
At both AS and A2, this new qualification gives students the opportunity to study a range of texts about TV, film, e-media, news and documentary and then test your production skills and subject knowledge by making a Media product. The subject requires the analysis of current media texts across three key platforms:
print audio-visual e-media
and the application of central key concepts (audience, form, representation and institution). Throughout the two years, there is a real focus upon the changing forms of advertising and marketing and the impact of new technology.
At A2, this practical production is accompanied by a personal study. Students have been amazed by their hidden talents and have enjoyed being given the opportunity to work creatively and independently on meaningful projects.
There are four units in total: two of these involve practical production and two are assessed by examination.
WJEC AS/A2 Film Studies - Adult Education
This is a course which is offered to both ‘A’ Level students and also adults from our local community, some of whom may not have been involved in education for a long time. There will be a two hour slot once a week on a Monday evening, run by the Media Department in the Sixth Form Centre which can lead to an AS qualification if desired; the main aim is to develop people’s love and understanding of film.
We explore British and American film in preparation for a written assessment as well as preparing some exciting coursework which explores film form. There will be:
• one analysis of a chosen extract from a film of the candidate’s own choice as a written response and
• one creative project based on a film sequence or short film which could be a storyboard or involve creating a short moving image piece with the use of our new college hardware and editing facilities.
This is an ideal qualification for students who at present are following other ‘A’ Level courses but who have a love of film and would like to acquire a further qualification and useful software and analysis skills for their own enjoyment and to augment their other studies. It is an exciting opportunity to share ideas with others from different age ranges and other walks of life.
The OCR National Diploma in Media
This is a level 3 national award which is the equivalent of two A2s and is QCA accredited. The focus of this course is to achieve technical excellence in as many fields related to the Media industry as possible. THERE ARE NO EXAMINATIONS IN THIS QUALIFICATION: every task counts, as the assessment is portfolio based. Candidates are judged to be either at a Distinction, Merit or Pass level across a range of specific objectives which focus upon making a range of Media products.
There are 6 units in the first year:
• Media Theory
• Pre-production
• Production
• Advertising
• Video production
• Photography.
Each unit is weighted equally; a candidate taking these 6 alone receives a single A2, the national certificate in Media.
The second year allows a wider choice; at present the focus is upon:
• Music Technology
• Art and Animation
• Games Design
• Art and Animation for Games
• Design and Layout
• Exhibitions
with the opportunity to do a work-based element in radio.
It is a challenging and highly creative course, one that has proved popular with the students taking it because their technical expertise is stretched to the full: they’re learning new things whilst using new software, it’s vocational and they get out of it exactly what they put in and they are in control – the students decide what their projects are and what form the assessment takes in negotiation with their subject tutor. The portfolios prepare students for higher education, the Media industry and further technical degrees.
This qualification is the equivalent of two ‘A’ Levels and therefore can run alongside two other AS qualifications which may or may not directly feed into Media as a subject. Each application will be considered on its own merit; there may not be a series of examinations at the end of the course, but we shall be operating at ‘A’ Level standard throughout.