www.stpaulsway.org

Departments

• Introduction

Curriculum:
• Art & Design
• Business Studies
• Careers
• Citizenship & PSHE
• Construction
• Dance
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• English
• Food Technology
• Geography
• Health & Social Care
• History
• ICT
• Mathematics
• Media Studies
• MFL: Bengali
• MFL: French
• MFL: Spanish
• Music
• Physical Education
• Psychology
• Religious Education
• Science
• Textiles

Support:
• Deaf Support Base
• English as an Additional Language
• First Base
• Learning Mentors
• Special Educational Needs

Learning Resources:
• Library
• Media Resources

The Department:
The popularity of Media Studies has increased dramatically over the last few years at St Paul's Way Community School. This is mainly due to the stimulation and interest that students have gained during English KS3 lessons. students have been given a taste of what Media Studies is about in Years 7, 8 and 9 and as a result more and more students have opted to do Media Studies GCSE. 

Five years ago, there were four GCSE classes (two Year 10 and two Year 11) but the numbers of students choosing the subject have steadily increased so that we now have six classes (three in Year 10 and three in Year 11). In addition, the Media Studies Department has helped to develop the KS4 media units in English; all extra classes fall within the Media Studies brief. This scheme is proving to be extremely successful and rewarding.

Media Studies is taught in mixed ability groups throughout KS4. For the last seven years, we have been following the Southern Examining Group syllabus (now AQA) because of its emphasis on practical work and theoretical concepts. This will continue as new specification (2003) emphasizes the same ideology and is therefore, the most appropriate for our students.

We now have access to a number of computer suites and each KS4 Media Studies teacher has a PC with Internet access, a printer and scanner in their teaching room. students can use packages such as Claris Works, Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop to do magazine, newspaper and poster work. Room A102 on the English and Media corridor contains around 15 PCs with Microsoft Word installed and access to the Internet. students can participate in video editing in the video-editing suite in the Media Resources area. We also have access to three video cameras and two standard cameras that are held by Media Resources as well as a number of digital cameras belonging to the Arts College.

All members of the Media Studies Department teach the subject at GCSE level to Years 10 and 11 students and are also teachers of English.

Teachers of Media and English contribute to the development and delivery of media units for English KS3 and KS4.

The Course:
AQA requires that students complete three coursework pieces plus a practical production with accompanying evaluation. As we have a range of units in Year 10, individual teachers are able to choose from which unit they want to generate a piece of coursework.

At the end of the Spring Term there will be a Media Mock examination. In the past, this exam has been the previous year's paper. As a result of changes to the examination for the cohort (2001–2003) we will have to modify the exam paper and mark scheme. Alternatively, we could use the specimen papers and mark scheme provided by the board.

The Media Studies and English Department have a symbiotic relationship. During the second half of the Summer term in Year 10, there is time allocated for Media teachers to encourage students to re-examine their piece of Media coursework from the English syllabus. These pieces can be included as Media coursework provided there is a practical element to them. It is the practical element that Media teachers will concentrate on during this part of the academic year. There are currently five media units available to be taught in English lessons:

• TV Advertising;

• Magazine Front Covers;

• Charity Adverts/Campaigns;

• Film Study;

• Film Trailers. 

Although these units are reserved primarily for the English curriculum, Media teachers are able to use them in the event that new students join the course, or a student's absence results in certain Media units being missed. In either event Media teachers liaise with English teachers to ensure the most appropriate piece of work is chosen for the student concerned.

During the Autumn term of Year 11, students begin their Practical Productions. Students are encouraged to be as original and independent as possible. They are encouraged to produce projects in the media of their choice using practical skills they acquired in Year 10.

Students are prepare for the GCSE exam during the Spring term (as well as being given time to complete those never-ending projects!) and there are often extra classes available for students who wish to do extra revision.

Departmental Ethos:
Due to the fact that all members of the department are also members of the English department, the Media Studies department is usually not able to meet during normal 'departmental time'. Hence, the Media Studies department meets during free periods, after school, at lunchtimes and whenever else there is time to discuss departmental issues. Though this is not ideal, this has been the practice for the last few years.

Along with these meetings, members of the department meet to discuss and standardise students' work at the end of the Spring term. Teachers of Year 11 classes spend one whole day, off-timetable, to review students' work and standardise marking. This is an invaluable experience as teachers have the opportunity to look at students' work from other classes and share ideas. 

The Media Studies department also takes part in the 'Sharing Good Practice Initiative' to share experiences and ideas for lessons. It involves working in pairs in each other's lessons (team teaching, classroom observation as appropriate and demonstration lessons).

Members of the department who go on INSET and/or who participate in AQA exam marking are asked to share experiences with the rest of the department.

Staffing:
Leanne Kilgour (Teacher i/c)
Ammar Al-Ghabban
Gareth Brennan
Johnny Morton