GCSE media studies

[BibbleandSqwauk]

Hi..does anyone teach this or is familiar with it in their school? Does it suit the whole ability range? Am vaguely looking into proposing it to my SLT but starting from a position of ignorance so trying to find out a bit more. Any insights gratefully received.

I teach it and we have students with target grades from 3 to 9 in mixed ability classes. It’s tough for lower-ability students, but they’re usually able to get a grade 4 or 5 if they work hard and learn the facts about the Close Study Products (CSPs). It’s one of those qualifications that’s pretty much 50% knowledge and 50% application and analysis. The AQA course is two 90-min exams and one NEA (worth 30% of the final grade). I’d imagine that the other exam boards are similar, although their CSPs will be different. One thing that’s really frustrating is that they change the CSPs from year to year, so we have to make new resources every year.

Do you have any media knowledge? There are lots of theories to get your head round if not, which could prove to be a big obstacle.