Why Study Media Studies at The Purbeck School?

Media Studies is all-embracing and has never been more relevant. From videogames, to newspapers and social media, the media is everywhere. We study a variety of texts, some produced within the last year and others that date back to the early 1950s. This allows students to explore social, cultural, political and technological changes which enhances their ability to empathise with various viewpoints and perspectives.

We create and foster a culture that encourages objective, critical, thinking, discussion and debate which benefits pupils beyond the classroom. We study exciting texts and industries, including the Marvel film Black Panther, the Assassin’s Creed franchise and music promotion. Media Studies at Purbeck is stimulating, engaging and though provoking.

Students will also choose a media industry as the focus for their cross-media production. They will learn how to create their own products using professional software and equipment (including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier Pro and a green screen). These technical skills are invaluable in any career, especially as our reliance on technology continues to increase.

How is Media Studies taught?

KS5 – Students are taught (normally shared across two members of staff) for nine hours each fortnight.

Rationale and ambition for The Purbeck School Media Studies curriculum:

Our Media Studies curriculum aims to prepare students for work and life through the development of technical skills, such as image, sound and video editing.

Our Media Studies curriculum aims to prepare students for work and life through the development of communication and language skills and understanding how different forms of communication are used for different media forms, products and industries.

Our Media Studies curriculum aims to develop cultural capital of students by exploring media developments and historical, cultural, social and political contexts.

Our Media Studies curriculum aims to develop empathetic and engaged citizens through the study of various theories and perspectives. Students learn about the representation of ethnicity, gender, social class, ability, age and culture.

Our Media Studies curriculum aims to support students in developing confidence in expressing their viewpoints orally and on paper.

Our Media Studies Curriculum aims to offer suitable challenge to students of all abilities.

Key concepts

The concepts that The Purbeck School Media Studies curriculum aims to support student progression in are:

• Understanding of media language.
• Understanding of media audiences.
• Understanding of media industries.
• Understanding of media representation.
• Understanding of historical, social, cultural and political contexts.
• Understanding of how to evaluate and analyse a media text.
• Understanding of how to create a media text using a brief.

Contact: Mrs Gregory vgregory@purbeck.dorset.sch.uk