Making the Headlines

Posted on: 30/11/2022

media studies trip

Upper Sixth Media Studies students enjoyed a newspaper study day at the British Film Institute that gave them useful tips for their A Level examinations in the summer. 

Head of Media Studies Sam Cullis organised a special study day for his A Level students in advance of their examinations in the summer. Hosted by an A Level Media Studies lecturer and held at the British Film Institute, the event provided our Upper Sixth students with an in-depth focus on newspapers in the UK. During the day students applied theory and studied key products from the AQA, Eduqas, and OCR specifications such as: the Daily Mirror, the Daily Mail, The Guardian and The Times newspapers. Analytical skills needed in the examinations were developed while modes of media language specific to newspapers were explored.

Sixth Former Amber says she learnt all about the ways in which UK newspapers are different and how their online counterparts are evolving. 'We learnt about the relationship between both online and offline news and how printed papers are still valued for their sense of tradition, despite a decline in sales,' she explains. She also notes how valuable it was listening to the different perspectives and approaches of other students and examination boards.  

We learnt about the relationship between both online and offline news and how printed papers are still valued for their sense of tradition, despite a decline in sales.

Amber, Upper Sixth Media Studies student

They then debated representation in newspapers as well as the role of the audience using historical, social, cultural and political contexts. Media industries were investigated and reference to social and participatory media revealed newspapers to be evolving media products.

media studies insta grab

In the afternoon, the group was introduced to the Guardian's senior editor for diversity and development, Joseph Harker, and given an invaluable insight into working in the media. He hosted a Q&A session, but also talked about his encounters with diversity and the occasional clash between his personal opinions and those of the newspaper. 

For Sixth Former Serra, the Q&A was one of the highlights of the trip. 'It was really interesting to meet Joseph Harker, the senior editor for diversity for the Guardian who explained the continued prevalence of a white-dominant British press, and the importance of trying to change the narrative,' she says.

It was really interesting to meet Joseph Harker, the senior editor for diversity for the Guardian who explained the continued prevalence of a white-dominant British press, and the importance of trying to change the narrative.

Serra, Upper Sixth Form Media Studies student

The benefits of the trip were appreciated by everyone who attended, as perfectly articulated by Josh when he says, 'I have been at Harrodian since Reception and this was one of the most useful trips I have been on.'

I have been at Harrodian since Reception and this was one of the most useful trips I have been on.

Josh, Upper Sixth Media Studies student