What we can offer you ...

The study of media covers all aspects of Written Media (newspapers, magazines etc.), Radio, Popular Music, Internet, Television and Film. Some of the topics studied are theoretical discussions, but the major part is practical production work, carried out by the students individually or in small groups.

The Media Studies Department is being re-organized, new and "Cutting Edge" equipment has been added, and further purchases are planned. At Brentside we believe in providing our students with the best available tools to develop students' skills. Since we believe the "Moving Image" Media - Film and Television - are the most challenging and probably the most interesting for young people, we have decided to introduce the latest Video Cameras and Professional Video Editing Suites for the use of all of our students.

Students have the opportunity to try their hand at actual production of personal Television Documentaries, where they may broadcast their opinions and points of view. Some of our students are currently working on a Music Video for a local Rock Group!

Key Stage 4: GCSE

In Years 10 and 11, students follow the AQA GCSE course in Media Studies. The 2-year course covers a broad spectrum of Mass Media. Students learn the history of each medium and discuss various political, legal, economic and artistic aspects of all media.

The students have an opportunity to work on original creative productions, on their own and in small groups. The students' final project is a short movie, shot with Brentside's Digital Video cameras and edited on one of our professional Digital Editing Suites.

We encourage all students, at all stages and levels, to question the role mass media institutions and creators play in modern society. This critical approach brings a new quality into their consumption of "Media Products" - films, television programmes and advertisements, magazines, newspapers and radio.

Sixth Form: AS & A2 ('A' level)

This subject offers you the opportunity to combine a theoretical understanding of the mass media in society and methods for analysing media texts (e.g. television programmes, films, advertising, the press) with the development of practical skills for media production. The balance of theory and practical work means that you will learn about how media Industries operate, research and investigate issues and debates about the role of the media in society, analyse texts from a variety of media, and produce texts of your own.
(Excerpt from OCR specification)

The course involves a substantial amount of independent research into Mass Media (from a wide choice of challenging topics), together with thought units of various topics and discussions involving today's, and tomorrow's Mass Media. This is accompanied by a production, in any medium, demonstrating originality and a professional level of use of the tools and conventions of that medium.

Graduates of Brentside's Media Studies course will be forever empowered by the knowledge and insight gained, and we believe they will be able to carry the same curiosity and creativity to whichever field they choose.

Students at Brentside High School have many opportunities to take part in media related activities. Here are some examples:

• Our students will take part in the Ealing Film Festival and participate in the "Ealing Stories" film script competition.
• We have been invited to a workshop at The Guardian Newsroom, where our students will have the opportunity to work in a real newsroom setting and produce their very own newspaper.
• Our students are going to produce their own original programs to be broadcast on local FM radio.

We believe an INTERESTED student will study well, enjoy studying and achieve good results ...

If you would like further information about Media Studies please contact: Mr Ilan Bernet, Media Studies Department.