Media Studies

The aim of the Media Studies department is to encourage a critical and informed reading of media texts. The media plays an increasingly large part in our everyday lives, from commerce through to entertainment. We are surrounded by the different forms of media on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.

The Media Studies specification encourages pupils to recognise the complexities of the relationship between themselves as consumers, spectators and receivers and the different media organisations in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world.

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." Jim Morrison

Film Studies takes that interest one stage further, specialising in an area where the students are already sophisticated "readers" of media texts i.e.: films.

"The cinema has no boundary; it is a ribbon of dream." Orson Welles

Both subjects also reflect the aim of the school in achieving through teamwork. Media texts are produced through teamwork and we aim to both study and produce our own texts through similar working practices.

Media Studies forms part of the English Curriculum until the end of Key Stage Three.

Media Studies GCSE:
Are there reasons why Disney presents its characters in a particular way? Just how is the news organised and delivered? Is it possible to tell an indie band from a hip-hop act just by looking at the album cover? Studying Media at GCSE aims to investigate and analyse these kinds of cultural issues.

The cultural landscape is becoming ever more visual and it is becoming increasingly important for young people to be able to interpret the signs and codes which they are bombarded with every day.

The GCSE, The Hayesbrook School offers, allows students to both engage practically (filming, designing, performing) and academically with the subject, producing 6 pieces of coursework (pre-production, production and textual analysis) over the two years of the course. There are also opportunities for out-of-class learning which allows for talks and excursions. Pupils sit a final exam of 2 1/2 hours which contributes to 50% of their final mark.

Film Studies GCSE will be introduced for the academic year 2009/2010. (Details to follow).

Film Studies AS and A2 Level:
The study of cinema, in terms of its influence, structure and industry forms a vital part of the leisure time and memories of many people throughout the world. Engaging with the subject in much the same way as they would English Literature, students develop a critical understanding of a wide variety of film cultures ranging from British Classics to South American modernity to the work of specific directors and actors.