Media Studies Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Intent
At Chingford Foundation School, Media Studies equips students with the analytical, creative and technical skills to understand and influence the modern world. In an age of global connectivity, social media and digital storytelling, we want our students to be confident media-literate citizens — able to question representations, understand how media industries operate, and create their own high-quality, meaningful content.
Our Media curriculum develops students who can both deconstruct and construct media products, balancing theory and creativity. Through the study of diverse case studies and practical production work, students learn how media shapes identity, culture and power in society.
The curriculum reflects the school’s four pillars:
- Knowledge – Students develop deep understanding of media language, representation, audience and industry across print, digital and broadcast platforms.
- Independence – Learners manage creative projects from concept to production, developing initiative and ownership of their ideas.
- Empowerment – Students become confident communicators who can interpret and challenge the messages they see daily in the media.
- Inclusion – Lessons promote diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring all students see themselves reflected and valued within the media they study and create.
Key Stage 4 ( GCSE Media Studies- AQA)
At GCSE, students study a range of media forms and learn how meaning is created through language, representation, audience targeting and industry context. The course combines theoretical understanding with practical creativity, enabling students to analyse, evaluate and produce professional-style media work.
What Students Study
Students explore a series of Close Study Products (CSPs) across different media forms including:
- Television: Doctor Who (1963) and His Dark Materials (2019)
- Film and Radio: Black Widow, I, Daniel Blake, Radio 1 Launch Day (sept1967), KISS Breakfast show
- Music Videos: Arctic Monkeys and Blackpink
- Advertising & Marketing: Galaxy, Represent, OMO (Print advert 1950s)
- Magazines: Tattler and Heat
- Online, Social and Participatory Media: Marcus Rashford Campaign and Kim Kardashian online
- Video Games: Lara Croft: Go mobile app and Black Pink the game
- Newspapers: The Daily Mirror and The Times
Assessment
- Paper 1 (1 hour 30 mins) – Media Language, Advertising and Marketing and Magazines, Radio, Film and Music Videos (35%)
- Paper 2 (1 hour 30 mins) – Television, Newspapers, Online Media and Video Games (35%)
- NEA Coursework (30%) – Creation of two linked media products responding to an AQA brief, with a Statement of Intent.
Skills Developed
Students learn to:
- Analyse how meaning and representation are created through images, language and sound.
- Evaluate how audiences respond to different media forms.
- Understand how institutions influence production, distribution and regulation.
- Create original media products using professional software and techniques.
Key Stage 5 (A Level Media Studies – AQA)
A Level Media Studies builds upon GCSE foundations to provide a deeper exploration of how media operates within social, cultural and political contexts. Students engage with academic theory, debate, and practical production to develop advanced analytical and creative skills.
What Students Study
Students study a range of media texts, case studies and close study products (CSPs) across the four key areas: Media Language, Representation, Audience, and Industries (RAIL).
Paper 1 Topics and CSPs:
- Advertising & Marketing: Score and Sephora – Black Beauty is Beauty
- Music Videos: Old Town Road (Lil Nas X) and Ghost Town (The Specials)
- Radio: War of the Worlds (1938) and BBC Newsbeat
- Film: Blinded by the Light
- Newspapers: The Daily Mail and The Guardian
Paper 2 Topics and CSPs:
- Television: The Killing and No Offence
- Magazines: GQ and The Gentlewoman
- Online, Social and Participatory Media: Taylor Swift’s Social Media and The Voice
- Video Games: Horizon Forbidden West and The Sims FreePlay
Assessment
- Paper 1 (35%) – 2-hour written exam on Media Language, Advertising and Marketing and Magazines, Radio, Film and Music Videos
- Paper 2 (35%) – 2-hour written exam on Television, Magazines, Online and Video Games, including synoptic and extended responses.
- Non-Exam Assessment (30%) – Cross-media production responding to a brief, creating two linked media products with a 500-word Statement of Intent.
Skills Developed
Students develop:
- Advanced understanding of media theories and critical perspectives.
- Creative production skills across digital platforms.
- Ability to research, plan and produce sophisticated media products.
- Awareness of ethical, cultural and global issues in contemporary media.
Beyond the Classroom
Media students take part in practical workshops, film screenings, and enrichment opportunities such as guest talks and media production projects. Many go on to study Media, Film, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or Digital Design at university, or enter creative industries such as broadcasting, advertising and content creation.
Supporting Documents
KS4 Curriculum Intent and Learning Journey YR10-11
