Media Studies
Years 7-11
Our aim is to provide pupils with the tools necessary to understand the ways in which information is communicated through media products and technologies.
Each day we are exposed to an endless stream of images, videos, news stories, television shows, advertisements and films. Media Studies aims to help our students make sense of how these media products communicate messages, either explicitly or implicitly, and how our view of the world, and of ourselves, can be shaped and influenced by these products. We also encourage creative production of media products, with a focus on producing a range of professional and engaging media products. These range from websites to newspapers, to magazines, television shows, films, marketing materials and music videos. This type of project helps our pupils develop their independent study skills, and also their technical knowledge of production, including photography, filmmaking, editing and writing.
The Department
GCSE Media Studies is taught and managed by the Subject Leader, Mr Lamb, a Media Studies specialist. Mr Lamb lives and breathes Media Studies – if there is a TV show, he’s probably seen it and if there is a video game, he will claim he’s completed it. We aim to create a department that is enthusiastic and deeply engaged in the subject. He often comes into lessons to students desperate to talk about the latest Netflix documentary they’ve watched. We like to think that we are approachable and open to our students, and provide opportunities for everyone to find their speciality within what is a very broad subject. The Media Studies Department is often involved in whole school activities, and being part of the English Department means we have strong links with other parts of the curriculum, such as the Belvedere Journal.
Curriculum Related Expectations
Enrichment
Filmmaking
Media Debates
Lower School Introduction to Media Studies
Dungeons & Dragons (Not strictly Media Studies but Mr Lamb loves it!)
Staffing
Mrs A. Kane – Curriculum Leader of English, Media Studies, and MFL
Miss C. Brooks – Assistant Curriculum Leader of English and Media Studies (within the English, Media, and MFL Curriculum Area)
Mr J. Beville – Curriculum Coordinator for English and Media Studies (within the English, Media, and MFL Curriculum Area), Aspirations Lead
Mr T. Lamb – Subject Leader of Media Studies
