“How do I know if my daughter is on track to gain the A predicted by her GCSE results?

I thought this conversation was a useful way of thinking about new specifications generally…

Ah that’s almost impossible to determine at the moment. Because this is a new specification there are no grades available for teachers to work from and make decisions about. All we have is the banding criteria and grades can and will go across the bands. For example the highest ‘band’ describes responses as ‘excellent’, ‘judicious’ and ‘nuanced’ with ‘specific use of appropriate terminology throughout’. What this actually looks like in practise in actual sentences is not possible to identify with accuracy. At Edusites we have been working with new specifications for decades and know that the better way around this problem is to ensure your DD is taught the skills at the highest level of the banding. This may take some students longer than other. Edusites Media offers GCSE and A Level units and any subscription gives access to the complete units across the GCSE and A Level to help with this stepped approach. To gain the highest grades it important that your DD understands the ‘debates’ within the Frameworks and can use the terminology with a sense of ‘mastery’.

She seems to be watching a lot of TV in her lessons…

As I said in my previous response the critical application tools are the frameworks and terminology…when she has mastered these…then and only then to fluidly apply those two tools to the CSPs.

So these close study products are only ‘using’ the frameworks of Media Language and Representation. Media Language and Media Representation are the Units 1 and 2 Core which is why they are taught in the first A level Unit.

The last Edusites A level and GCSE Unit for all exam boards brings together all of the context and framework threads; this is why it comes last in our scheme of work.

The same is true for the Eduqas (WJEC) & OCR A Level Specification

Where do we start?

The key to this subject is to develop a different and new type of writing style that uses the subject specific terminology as a short cut to ideas and frameworks. In the time given in the exam it’s not possible to gain the top band if those things don’t coincide. I’m thinking of lots of sporting examples.... without the basic fitness and core strength the player will develop movements and behaviours which are essentially a work around but eventually inhibit the sportsman to be the best...

The four Edusites Core Units cover the four frameworks

• Media Language
• Media Representation
• Media Audience
• Media Industries

Each core unit contains at least 25 lessons

In addition to the Core Units which cover the Frameworks there are additional 100+ lessons teaching the Close Study Products within the context of the frameworks. This means that students are not exposed to CSPs needing all four framework comprehension until they have covered that unit.

How do I know that your materials are good?

Edusites have been in the business of teacher support for over a decade. We have a great reputation! Our members include more than two thirds of the Top 100 schools in the country and we are used by over 5,000 teachers and students.