Media Studies

Achievement

We are very proud of the excellent results achieved by both our GCSE and A Level students, with both groups of students exceeding their target grades.
Last year, 100% of Millennium Centre pupils achieved A-C Grades with one student attaining one of the highest five marks in the country.

Staffing

Media Studies is taught by four teachers at Derby Moor, all of who also teach English. Currently Miss Geary, Mrs Farrell and Mr Melhado teach GCSE Media Studies. Miss Geary, Mrs Watson and Mr Melhado teach A Level Media Studies alongside Ms Beighton and Ms Johnson from Littleover Community School.

Accommodation

We are lucky enough to have our own Media Studio with a full time media technician. The Media Studio has a set of PCs and laptops, all fitted with editing equipment; a radio editing suite; a set of digital cameras; and a set of video cameras.
GCSE Media Studies is taught in two classrooms, both of which have interactive whiteboards. We also frequently use the Media Studio for our practical work.
During the Sixth Form, all lessons take place in the Media Studio.

Media Studies in English

In Year Seven, students look at a range of media texts in the Reading Non-fiction and Media Texts unit during the Summer Term.
In Year Eight, students complete a Media unit on Media Language and the promotion of films during the Autumn Term.
In Year Nine, students complete a unit on the representation of teenagers in the media during the Autumn Term. They also complete a unit on the film Goal during the Summer Term.

GCSE Media Studies

We currently follow the AQA Media Studies syllabus.

Assessment

Coursework – 25%
Practical project – 25%
Controlled test – 50%

Coursework

Students must produce three pieces of coursework, each consisting of a practical piece of work and an accompanying essay of 700-800 words.

Recent coursework topics include:
Comedy films – Students made their own slapstick film
Reality TV – Students created a new reality TV show
Soap operas – Students created a new family to enter an established soap opera
Magazine advertising – Students created an advert for a healthy product using an animated character
Television news – Students filmed their own TV news report

Practical project

Students have free choice and produce a detailed piece of Media work. Recent projects have included:
Magazines aimed at teenage girls
Trailers for horror and thriller films
Children’s comics
Sport magazines
Local radio shows
Promotion material for a music festival
Marketing campaign for a horror film

Controlled test

Each year the topic for the controlled test changes; Year Ten students are told the topic at the start of their GCSE course. The topic is then revisited throughout the two year course. The controlled test consists of a three hour exam, divided into two one and a half hour sessions either side of break. The exam is a PRE-RELEASED paper, so students receive the paper two weeks before the exam and have time to prepare their answers.
The following topics are currently being taught or have been examined recently:

• 2009 – Quiz Shows
• 2008 – Television Sitcoms
• 2007 – The Music Press
• 2006 – Children’s Comics
• 2005 – Television Advertising
• 2004 – Local and Community Radio
• 2003 – Comedy Films