GCSE Media Studies
GCSE students will be working towards the OCR qualification. The specification consists of three units which test all aspects and concepts in Media Studies. Two units are examinations which students sit at the end of Year 11. The third unit is the non-examined assessment (NEA) which acts as a piece of coursework completed individually.
Media students should have an interest in all aspects of the media including film, television, radio, gaming, newspapers, magazines and social media. They will be able to bring their contemporary understanding of modern media into their analysis and will learn how to explore media texts and industries. Students will develop their creativity and technical aptitude to plan, produce and edit media texts across a range of media platforms.
Paper 1: Television & Promoting Media (35% of the GCSE)
Students are examined around these two topics with a focus on the exam set texts of; Cuffs, Avengers, Lego Movie & Lego Movie Video Game.
Paper 2: Music & News (35% of the GCSE)
Students are examined around these two topics with a focus on the exam set texts of; Mojo magazine, Upton Funk, If I Were a Boy, Radio 1's Live Lounge, The Observer & The Guardian.
NEA: Non-examined assessment (30% of the GCSE)
Students will have a choice of four OCR set industry briefs and will individually research, plan and produce a complete media text working in the medium of their choice. The finished text could be online, audio-visual or print.
There is an official revision guide to this course which is published by Hodder Education.
Media Studies GCSE Assessment Calendar
Students will study a particular topic each half term & will be assessed accordingly. Homework is available for the students on Google Classroom which they can access from a home computer, tablet or phone via the Google Classroom app. There is a set of six tasks for each half term to be completed and submitted online. Teachers will set additional home work as appropriate throughout the course.
YEAR 9 |
Unit |
Content |
Homework |
Assessment |
Autumn One |
Introduction Analysis of Print & print production |
Learn about the key concepts. Expand your analytical vocabulary and create a print poster campaign |
Introduction to Media Studies |
Paired production: Print poster campaign. Research, planning, pre-production, finished poster & evaluation. |
Autumn Two |
Analysis of Moving Image |
Use your analytical skills to incorporate terminology in a formal written analysis. |
Moving Image Analysis |
Individual Analysis: Respond to a clip of an Action Adventure film and complete three questions based on media language narrative & representation. |
Spring One |
Music Videos |
Analyse a range of music videos. Use your knowledge to create an original music video |
Music Industry |
Group Production: Plan, prepare, film & edit an original music video (group max four people). |
Spring Two |
Radio & Web |
Analyse Radio & Web texts, create your own radio show/podcast or website. |
Radio Industry |
Group Production: Plan, prepare & record an original podcast (group max four people). |
Summer One |
Music Magazines EXAM TOPIC |
Develop your understanding and analysis of print productions. Study the representation of music artists. |
Magazine Industry |
Individual project: Students research two music artists and present analysis of their representation across the three media platforms; broadcast, print & e-media. |
Summer Two |
Music Video & Radio EXAM TOPIC
End of Year Assessment |
Explore the genre of music video with close analysis of music videos. Analysis of Radio 1’s Live Lounge Music magazines: language, audience, representation. |
Key Concept |
Individual Analysis: MUSIC MAGAZINES: Students complete an individual analysis of music magazine front cover answering questions focused on media language, representations, audience & genre. |
YEAR 10 |
Unit |
Content |
Homework |
Assessment |
Autumn One |
Music – Music video, MOJO & Live Lounge EXAM SET TEXT |
Focus on set texts for the examination. MOJO, Radio 1’s Live Lounge, Mark Ronson FT Bruno Mars & Beyoncé. All key concepts. |
Music Industry - MOJO & Live Lounge |
Individual Analysis:
Practice GCSE paper Paper 2 Section A: Music |
Autumn Two |
Promoting Media – video game & print promotion EXAM SET TEXT |
Film Industry focus & research with close analysis of ‘Lego Movie VideoGame’ and the promotional campaign for ‘The Lego Movie’ |
Promoting Media: Lego Franchise |
Individual Analysis:
Practice GCSE paper Paper 1 Section B: Promoting Media |
Spring One |
Television EXAM SET TEXT |
Development of analysis of the television show Cuffs All key concepts. |
Post 2010 Television |
Exam Technique Practice GCSE responses. Group/paired & individual as appropriate. |
Spring Two |
Television EXAM SET TEXT |
Development of analysis of the television show Avengers. All key concepts. |
1960s Television |
Individual Analysis:
Practice GCSE paper Paper 1 Section A: television |
Summer One |
NEA |
Pre-production, research and your Statement of Intent. |
NEA Development |
Production One to one tutorials to develop NEA concept. |
Summer Two |
NEA Revision
End of Year Assessment |
Production & editing Revision of all three topics so far: Music, Promoting Media & Television Mock GCSE Paper 1 & Paper 2 Section A. |
Revision |
Individual assessment: Students complete a mock GCSE paper covering the three topics covered so far: Television, Promotion Media & Music. |
YEAR 11 |
Unit |
Tasks |
Homework |
Assessment |
Autumn One |
NEA
Begin the topic of News |
Complete production for NEA & Statement of Intent |
Contemporary News |
Production Final NEA mark/grade |
Autumn Two |
News
EXAM SET TEXT
November Mock Exams |
Complete analysis of Newspapers including the set text: The Observer
Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
1960s News |
Exam Preparation Mock Exams - Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
Spring One |
News
EXAM SET TEXT |
Complete analysis of online and social media for The Observer and The Guardian |
Paper 1 Revision |
Exam Technique Practice GCSE responses. Group/paired & individual as appropriate. |
Spring Two |
Revision
Second set of Mock Exams |
Structured revision for the examination.
Paper 1 & Paper 2. |
Paper 2 Revision |
Exam Preparation Mock Exams - Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
Summer One |
Revision |
Structured revision for the examination. |
Revision |
Exam Technique Practice GCSE responses. Group/paired & individual as appropriate. |
Summer Two |
GCSE Examination |
Students will be given a formal assessment every half term and we use current GCSE mark schemes & grade boundaries to give an accurate indication of results. The students have been given the following simple grade descriptors to assist their progression and understanding of the requirements.
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
Excellent |
Outstanding |
Exceptional |
9 |
Very good |
Some excellent |
Excellent |
8 |
Good |
Some very good |
Very good |
7 |
Sound |
Some good |
Good |
6 |
Some |
Some sound |
Sound |
5 |
Basic |
A little |
Some |
4 |
Very basic |
Some basic |
Basic |
3 |
Minimal |
Some very basic |
Very basic |
2 |
Little or no work |
Limited |
Minimal |
1 |