MEDIA STUDIES
Curriculum Lead
Miss G Harwood - Head of English
Curriculum Principles & Intent
The Media curriculum at Adeyfield Academy aims to allow learners who are studying a broad range of GCSEs and A Levels to draw on the knowledge and skills acquired from these subjects where relevant and allow them the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to everyday and work contexts. The BTECs in Media at both KS4 & 5 give learners the opportunity to build skills that show an aptitude for further learning, both in the media sector and more widely. The well-established BTEC assessment approaches are proven to be successful in building skills and motivating learners to engage fully with challenging study. There is no limit to progression options as the skills acquired are applicable to a range of post-16 and higher education study options.
The creative media sector is a dynamic, growing sector to work in, with new opportunities arising continually. The UK’s creative industries as a whole are now worth over £8 4 billion per year to the UK economy. Working in the creative media industry involves a wide range of practical processes, skills and techniques. As digital technology continues to evolve, media techniques have become more sophisticated and media products are becoming more advanced. The Media curriculum at The Adeyfield Academy allows for students to not only become enthralled in an enjoyable, creative subject but also allows students to learn about the industry and how it works thereby preparing them for the world of work not only in the Media industry but also in any sector that places emphasis on the same set of core skills.
BTEC Specifications
Media BTEC Level 1 & 2 First Award
Exam Board: Pearson EDEXCEL
Specification Number: 2209
Media is interesting, relevant to us all as users of media products and engaging. We aim to ensure that everything we teach is taught in the most relevant way possible and, for this reason, Media has always been a popular subject at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. This course is for the creative, those interested in learning about industry in practice, or are passionate about how and why the media affects us.
Course Content:
The BTEC Media course has a solid emphasis on theoretical examination of media industries and the sectors within it. It has always been our philosophy that an appreciation of the practices and principles that support, what is now, a multi-national industry is absolutely vital, along with developing an astute understanding of the theories that exist about it. We always seek, however, to balance this with practical tasks.
The course introduces the principles of: Pre-production, Production & Post Production skills through practical hands on projects. The pre-production processes students will follow will enable them to gain a greater insight into industry paperwork. This will have developed from the in-depth knowledge of media organisations and theory covered earlier in the course.
Mode of Assessment:
Internally assessed assignments with an externally assessed production.
BTEC National: Creative Digital Media Production
Exam Board: Pearson EdExcel
Specification Number:
Level of Course: 3
Aim of course:
With a track record built over 30 years of learner success, BTEC Nationals are widely recognised by industry and higher education as the signature vocational qualification at Level 3. They provide progression to the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level. Proof comes from YouGov research, which shows that 62% of large companies have recruited employees with BTEC qualifications. What’s more, well over 100,000 BTEC students apply to UK universities every year and their BTEC Nationals are accepted by over 150 UK universities and higher education institutes for relevant degree programmes either on their own or in combination with A Levels.
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Qualification |
Size & Structure |
Summary |
|---|---|---|
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Digital Film and Video Production
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360 GLH (480 TQT) Equivalent in size to one A Level. Mandatory content (50%). External assessment (33%) |
This qualification is designed to provide a technical introduction to digital film and video production. This qualification is for Post 16 learners who are looking to progress to higher or degree apprenticeships, employment or to further education and training. |
Content
The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies to ensure that it is appropriate for those interested in working in the sector. In addition, higher education representatives have been involved to ensure that the qualification fully supports entry to the relevant range of specialist degrees. There are two mandatory units, which cover the following aspects of digital film and video production:
- film production (fiction)
- digital media skills
In addition to the mandatory content, learners take three optional units:
- Scriptwriting
- Editing Techniques
- Stop-Motion Animation
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.
Grading - Units are assessed using a grading scale of Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), Near Pass (N) and Unclassified (U).
Useful Links & Career Paths
The creative industries are competitive, so media-related work experience is crucial along with personal determination to succeed.