Hurtwood House School

This is a subject students already know a lot about and that is a hugely motivating element in the classroom. We aim to build on students’ experiences as spectators, consumers and fans to explore the complex relationships between institutions, audiences and texts to try to answer questions about the functions, messages and values of media products within our society.
Media Studies is not a transient or a trendy subject. It has been established as a GCSE and an A-Level subject for 20 years now.

We focus upon all the key media across the two years of the full A–Level, encouraging skills and knowledge that are relevant to a wide range of other subjects: for example, close analysis of image and language, social and political philosophy, economic and business theory and sociological investigation. At the heart of our specification are the practical projects in which students are given the chance to demonstrate and extend their understanding of the media through the construction of their own products. Creativity, organisation, discipline and teamwork are quickly developed by students who are always enthusiastic to do well in this part of the course.

Our aim at Hurtwood is to provide the best Media Studies course of its kind in the country. Our results speak for themselves but we aim to give our students much more than a good pass at A-Level. We are able to achieve this with a team of experienced and dedicated Media teachers, who provide students with the best possible education in both the theoretical study of the media and the practical application of the skills learnt.

‘One of the best things about the course is getting to use an amazing selection of technology – the digital cameras are brilliant to use on shoot.’
 
We have the kind of resources which are usually seen only in professional environments: at the heart of our production work is a state of the art studio complex, including a film/television studio; a fully equipped, video edit suite with several digital-editing stations and live vision and sound-mixing facilities, a full complement of professional and semi-professional DV cameras and sound-recording equipment; a Windows NT network, linked by satellite to the internet, flatbed scanner, two A3 laser printers, and a range of software for DTP and web-based design and publishing.

‘Doing Media at Hurtwood has given me a chance to gain the sort of experience that TV companies are looking for – I would definitely like to carry on with it as a career.’

The specification that we follow is not a vocational course but we are able to begin teaching students the technical skills that they will need if they wish to pursue a career in the media or if they wish to carry on into higher education. We offer our students opportunities for work experience in a variety of media institutions and advice on university courses. In addition, we provide specialist training through the Hurtwood Film Academy for those students who have already decided that they wish to work in these fields.

The full A-Level examination consists of four units: two of these units (equivalent to 50% of the final mark) are coursework units. 50% of the assessment, or two units, will be taken in the first year as an Advanced Subsidiary qualification.

The specification aims to ensure that students are exposed to as wide a range of media as possible, including film, television, print media, radio and ICT. They will learn how to analyse the codes and conventions of the various media, how different groups are represented in the media and by whom, how different audiences consume and make meaning from media texts and how texts are affected by the institutions from which they emerge. Students will learn of the history of various media and speculate about future developments.

Media teachers at Hurtwood adopt a seminar-style approach, which encourages student discussion, criticism and analysis to complement the teacher’s own input.  In addition, the practical projects demand a great range of skills from the students throughout the two years of the course. As you can see, the variety of the course’s content is matched by the variety in its delivery and it is in this way that we can ensure that the Media Studies A-Level at Hurtwood is in a class of its own. This is fully reflected in A-Level results; last year the department obtained 95% passes at A and B grades and 100% at A-C grades.
 
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media (coursework)
Unit G322: Key Media Concepts
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media (coursework)
Unit G325: Critical perspectives in Media

If you are thinking of taking Media Studies at AS or A-Level, you do not need to have studied the subject at GCSE, but you should have GCSE passes in English Language and Mathematics. The course does involve regular essays and it is, therefore, essential that you are able to write in a clear, well-structured fashion. You should have the ability to research independently; an analytical mind as well as intellectual curiosity are prerequisite. As all media are closely bound up with ideas, people and events, you are expected to maintain a lively interest in what is happening in the world.

Media Studies can be combined with a wide range of subjects at A-Level in the Arts and Sciences. It is especially suited to go with English, Sociology, Theatre Studies, History, Business Studies and Languages. It can also be taken by scientists looking for a fourth AS in the Humanities. It is obviously an ideal choice for students wishing to take a media-related degree at university or wishing to find a job in one of the fields of the media. Media Studies has a substantial academic content and is an acceptable A-Level for a large number of degree courses but advice should be taken if you are considering applying for Engineering or specialist science courses.  Media Studies is an A-Level subject that is totally in touch with the real world. It gives you the opportunity to learn and work in an environment where your individual analytical and creative skills are developed fully. Whether or not you choose a career in the media industry, you will find it a stimulating course and a rewarding qualification.

BOOKS
‘Key Skills and Concepts for Media Studies’ – Vivienne Clark, James Baker and Eileen Lewis
‘AS Media Studies for OCR’ – Julian McDougall
‘The Media Students’ Book’ – Gill Branston and Roy Stafford
‘More Than Meets The Eye’ – Graeme Burton
‘How To Read A Film’ – James Monaco

PERIODICALS
‘Sight and Sound’
‘Screen International’
‘The Guardian’ (esp. Monday and Thursday)
Other daily newspapers