Film and Media Studies
Head of Department: Laura Pickering
Members of Department:
- Mark Lickley (Deputy Head of Department)
Media Technicians:
- Keith Merkelt
- Diarmuid Slattery
The Media and Film Department is staffed by a small team of enthusiastic and highly committed teachers, with experience of teaching this subject to A Level.
At KS4, pupils are taught in groups of 24 or under in dedicated Media Suites, which are equipped with computers that are loaded with professional media software packages, allowing our students to use industry standard technology in their own production work. There are also two media technicians who are experts in using the software and are always on hand to help the students create their practical work.
We regularly review our curriculum to ensure it prepares pupils for exam success, develops independent learning skills and, most importantly, to ensure that it is stimulating, challenging, current and enjoyable.
We are committed to mixed ability teaching and recognise that to do this effectively the curriculum has to be planned carefully, ensuring progression, support and challenge.
Pupils’ progress is carefully tracked and intervention strategies are employed to support pupils who are underachieving.
Film
Film is an important part of many people's lives. Those who choose to study it characteristically bring with them a huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which constantly motivates them in their studies. It is not surprising that many consider film to be the major art form of the last hundred years and that many feel it important to study a medium which has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, our pupils follow the Eduqas GCSE Media Studies course
The Media Studies course aims to equip students with the skills to look critically at media texts, to use analytical skills to recognise how an advert, newspaper or magazine is constructed and can communicate meaning on many levels. Students will learn how to recognise how the media shapes our perceptions of the world through different representations, viewpoints and messages. They will also study how various media industries, including the radio, news, gaming and film industry is owned, how media products are produced and how these products are regulated. Lastly, students will examine who the audiences are for these products and how they might respond to and use the media for their own gratifications.
Media Studies is an exciting, challenging subject and is extremely popular with pupils. It involves the study of a range of media, including:
- Advertising and film marketing
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Radio
- Video games
- TV sitcoms
- Music videos and online media
Key Stage 5
Film Studies at Morpeth is now a well-established subject with the option for further study at Alevel. The department has a history of excellent results in this subject.
AS, A level or at higher education institutions.
The WJEC Eduqas specification in GCSE Film Studies aims to develop knowledge and understanding of:
- the ways in which meanings and responses are generated through film
- a contrasting, culturally diverse range of films from different national contexts
- film as an aesthetic medium
- how films reflect the social, cultural and political contexts in which they are made
- the relationship between film and film technology over time.
In addition, the specification aims to enable learners to apply their knowledge and understanding of film to filmmaking or screenwriting.
The department benefits from practical film making equipment, computers for every student, editing software and the use of two ex-industry media technicians.
We are committed to mixed ability teaching and recognise that to do this effectively the curriculum has to be planned carefully, ensuring progression, support and challenge.
Pupils’ progress is carefully tracked and intervention strategies are employed to support pupils who are underachieving.
