Creative Media
Subject: Creative Media
Subject/Curriculum Leader: Mrs G McDonald
In a world where we have instant access to technologies and the rapid rate in which they change, we give our media students a clear understanding of the impact this can have in today’s society. An understanding of representation in the media is a clear focus for our students at Norton College and key to them being able to develop and create practical work with clear intentions. Developing an understanding of the five media sectors and the impact they have on us in our everyday lives is an area we find our students are extremely enthusiastic about. As a department, we strive to foster our students’ appreciation of all the media sectors and to develop their interests in everything from film, to publishing. The curriculum we offer is broad and creative, designed to develop an appreciation for and enjoyment of the power of the creative media industry.
The Media Department is creative, dynamic, and ambitious, staffed by two experienced teachers with a real passion for the subject. It is our aim to promote learning in a lively and engaging way that combines fun, with a clear understanding of the media industry. We are well resourced and have access to some of the latest technology. We work closely with our links in the industry and give our students a realistic understanding of what it is like to work in the world of creative media production.
The delivery of the curriculum is closely linked with other subjects in the Expressive arts faculty and offers students the opportunity to develop their practical and presentation skills. To further develop students’ passion for media, the department offers a range of extra-curricular activities including trips to London and local television studios. We also work closely with universities and our Alumni to provide enrichment opportunities.
“All good ideas start out as bad ideas, that’s why it takes so long.” – Stephen Spielberg
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students are entered for BTEC Tech Award Level 1 / 2 in Creative Media Production.
We follow the Pearson specification for this qualification. We cover three separate components including the final synoptic external assessment at the end of Year 11. In preparation for this external assessment, students study all five of the media sectors from audio to websites. Students develop the skills to use editing software when creating moving image and publishing products. Students are also expected to develop their presentation skills, which helps and supports them if they choose to study media at key stage 5 or pursue a career in the media industry.
Over the course of the two years, students will be assessed regularly, and their progress tracked. Component 1 and 2 are assessed and moderated internally over the two-year course. To extend students’ learning, we offer a range of extra-curricular activities including trips and visits from professionals in the industry. In the spring term of Year 11, students are set the external assessment in the form of a brief which they have 12 weeks to provide a response to in the Spring/Summer term.
Year 10
Autumn term
Component 1: Exploring Media products
Investigate media products
Explore how media products are created to provide meaning and engage audiences
Year 10
Spring term
Component 1: Exploring Media products
Investigate media products
Explore how media products are created to provide meaning and engage audiences
Year 10
Summer term
Component 2: Developing Digital Media Production Skills
Develop media production skills and techniques
Apply media production skills and techniques
Review own progress and development of skills and practices
Year 11
Autumn term
Component 2: Developing Digital Media Production Skills
Develop media production skills and techniques
Apply media production skills and techniques
Review own progress and development of skills and practices
Year 11
Spring term
Component 3: Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief (External assessment)
Understand how to develop ideas in response to a brief
Develop planning materials in response to a brief
Apply media production skills and techniques to the creation of a media product
Create and refine a media product to meet the requirements of a brief
Year 11
Summer term
Component 3: Create a Media Product in Response to a Brief (External assessment)
Understand how to develop ideas in response to a brief
Develop planning materials in response to a brief
Apply media production skills and techniques to the creation of a media product
Create and refine a media product to meet the requirements of a brief
Key Stage 5
The popularity of the Media department can be seen with large numbers of Sixth Form students opting to study Media. This is then supported with the number of students we have leave us to study Media at University. Through varied and creative teaching methods, within a supportive creative environment, students are encouraged to become independent, evaluative learners, studying Media to the highest levels.
The creative units we study is complemented by a number of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities, which aim to broaden and develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject in different media sector contexts. Recent opportunities have included trips to London and the Warner Bros. Studios, along with visits to more local television studios, such as Emmerdale. We regularly welcome visits from our links in the industry, giving our students a clear understanding of the opportunities and demands working in the Media industry has.
Year 12
Autumn term
Unit 1: Media Representations
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media terminology, semiotics, theories, concepts, and messages
Apply knowledge and understanding of media concepts, semiotics, theories, and formal techniques to constructed representations
Analyse media texts to deconstruct representations and decode messages and evaluate their effectiveness and impact
Make connections between polysemic messages underpinning media representations and their related values and effects on wider society
Year 12
Spring term
Unit 4: Pre-production
Understand the requirements of pre-production of a digital media product
Carry out pre-production for a digital media product
Produce a pre-production portfolio for a creative media production
Review pre-production of a digital media product
Year 12
Summer term
Unit 4: Pre-production
Understand the requirements of pre-production of a digital media product
Carry out pre-production for a digital media product
Produce a pre-production portfolio for a creative media production
Review pre-production of a digital media product
Year 13
Autumn term
Unit 10: Film production (Fiction)
Understand codes and conventions of fictional film production
Produce material for a fictional film of a specified genre
Apply post-production techniques to a fictional film utilising codes and conventions of a specified genre
Year 13
Spring term
Unit 8: Responding to a commission
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media production processes and related considerations when responding to a brief
Apply knowledge and understanding of media production processes in context, demonstrating how constraints affect decisions and the ability to adapt to changes in requirements
Analyse and interpret information related to purpose, technical and logistical requirements of the brief and evaluate solutions for implementation with appropriate justification
Be able to respond creatively to a brief demonstrating the ability to synthesise a range of ideas
Year 13
Summer term
Unit 10: Film production (Fiction)
Understand codes and conventions of fictional film production.
Produce material for a fictional film of a specified genre
Apply post-production techniques to a fictional film utilising codes and conventions of a specified genre.
