Subject Leader: Miss C Shea – cshea@knoleacademy.org
Subject Teachers: Mrs C Gouli
Exam Board: OCR
GCSE Qualification: Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 in Creative iMedia
Intent
The Film and Media Department is a very popular one and is often over-subscribed. Parents and students can be rest assured that the number one aim is to not only teach students the practical, critical and analytical skills they will need to get a good grade in the class, but to also prepare them for all manner of moral and philosophical battles they might have throughout life. The students have a walking talking film and media encyclopaedia at their disposal. This will give them a massive advantage when it comes to equipping themselves with what they need.
Implementation
Through the study of a range of media, such as TV, print and podcasts, plus many more, students will learn both how media creates such an impact in our day-to-day lives and how to harness that power in creating their own media productions. Students will use research skills taught to them in order to select different examples of existing media products to help them understand what it is they are going to create.
Then, using the research, students will explore how different media products use fundamental ideas such as genre, narrative (i.e. storytelling), representation (such as representing types of people), and media production techniques (such as eliciting audience sympathy) to communicate meaning to audiences.
Then (the most exciting part!) the students create their own media products (such as advertising campaigns) for a relevant media sector (e.g. a charity). This can take many forms such as TV ad, Print ads etc. Students will develop media post-production skills and techniques. This basically means showing they can edit print, or video works to make them as realistic as possible.
The curriculum is designed to develop media literacy, creativity and various media communication skills that prepare students for both further academia contexts and real world itself. Most important of all, students will get to show their learned skills through practical assessments where they get to show these skills in very imaginative ways!
The overall aim of the department is to spark the fire of creative passion in students for a wide range of media. The younger generations are more and more in tune with short form media such as TikTok, but this is a real crime because they need to learn that ‘long form’ media such as films, TV and advertising have so much to offer them.
Impact
The film and media department has a strong desire to leave students with both fun and poignant lessons. Not only that, but they will also be equipped with skills to prepare them for an ever-expanding media employment landscape. Through the study of media, we give students another window of possible artistic expression. Students are actively engaged through a wide range of technology to engage with a wide range thought-provoking idea.
Examination Information
Exam Board: OCR
Qualification: OCR Cambridge Nationals Level 1/2 in Creative iMedia
OCR Creative iMedia is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on creative skills needed for success in the digital media industry. The course promotes digital literacy, creativity, and problem-solving through engaging, real-world projects. Students learn how digital media is developed by planning, designing, and producing media products in response to realistic client briefs—building valuable transferable skills that support both personal growth and future career opportunities.
Course Highlights:
- Practical Skills: Students gain experience in key areas such as graphic design, video editing, animation, and the creation of interactive media products.
- Industry Understanding: The course introduces students to the tools, techniques, and software commonly used in the digital media sector.
- Digital Literacy: Learners develop a strong grasp of digital media principles and how to apply them effectively.
- Transferable Skills: The course nurtures essential skills including research, planning, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—useful across all subjects and career paths.
- Creativity & Independence: Students are encouraged to think creatively and work independently, producing media products that meet specific client needs.
- Career Readiness: Through practical, industry-relevant projects, students are well-prepared for further study or careers in the creative and digital media fields.
- Critical Awareness: The course also explores important issues such as legal, ethical, and security considerations in digital media.
R093: Creative iMedia in the media Industry (40%)
Externally marked. 1 hour 15 minutes.
- A mix of short answer and structured questions based on stimulus material covering all of the specification content.
R094: Visual Identity and Digital graphics (30%)
Internally marked. Coursework.
Students complete 3 assignments based on:
- Topic Area 1 – Develop Visual Identity
- Topic Area 2 – Planning Digital Graphics
- Topic Area 3 – Creating Visual Identity and Digital Graphics
R097: Interactive Digital Media (30%)
Internally marked. Coursework.
Students to complete 3 assignments based on:
- Topic Area 1 – Planning an Interactive Digital Media
- Topic Area 2 – Creating Interactive Digital Media
- Topic Area 3 – Reviewing Interactive Digital Media
Enrichment and extra-curricular activities
Students have the film and media editing suites they can use for any projects they would like to do.
Future Courses and Possible Careers
Students can progress further to IB Film and then to Media and/or Film and Television Degrees.
Some examples of careers with an Film and Television degree include filmmaking, cinematographer, screenwriter, Journalist, Copywriter, Teacher, Marketing Executive, Editor, Freelance Writer, Librarian, Publisher, Web Editor, Author, Social Media Manager and PR manager. But this list isn’t exhaustive.
There are also plenty of companies that recruit Film and Media graduates. PR agencies such as Edelman and Brunswick and publishers like Penguin Random House and Harper Collins have a range of editorial, writing and content management roles. Almost all industries now rely on having a very visible presence in the ever more competitive media landscape. This means having media technological skills puts students that learned those skills above other candidates. Not only that, but the theoretical knowledge will also help them use the practical skills they would have learned to best advantage.