Thursday, 15 October 2026

End of year 1 exam learner response

1) Type up any feedback from your teacher in full (you do not need to write the mark/grade if you do not wish to).



2) Look at the mark scheme document linked above. Question 1.1 asks about mise-en-scene. What do we use to remember mise-en-scene? Give one example answer from the clip too - you'll find example answers in the mark scheme.

the two children they are chasings make up and clothes and make up to make them look abandoned and homeless.

3) Question 1.2 asks about narrative features in the extract. Look at the mark scheme to pick out three possible answers for this question. 

Music and sound effects are used during the chase scene to create pace, drama, and excitement, this suggests to the audience that a narrative development is likely to follow an action code

the empty city creates its own enigma code with the mystery of what has happened to the city and the people that lived there. This is partially resolved later in the extract.

Binary opposition: Lyra and Will are presented as binary opposites to the other two children. The lack of grown-ups creates a sense of young/old binary opposition (particularly as children are not in danger from Spectres).

4) Now focus on Question 2 - the 20 mark essay. Use the mark scheme to pick out one way Doctor Who reflects 1963 and one way His Dark Materials reflects 2020. 

In the 1960s, representations were mainly British, white-middle class. Overtime, TV drama has developed to be more inclusive and to show a much wider range of representations. In His Dark Materials, there are people of different ethnicities and
backgrounds.

5) Reflect on your overall work and exam performance this year. What three things do you need to work on or revise in Media for Year 11? 

focus on the writing structures
focus on revising the CSP
more in depth analysis

Blog task 30: kiss breakfast on kiss radio

 Context: Deregulation and the Evolution of Radio


1. What is meant by the term ‘deregulation’ in the context of the UK radio industry? How does this contrast with how the UK government historically controlled the airwaves up until the 1970s?

Deregulation is the dismantle of strict state rules and removed power from the government regulators to the free market

2. Explain how deregulation dismantled ownership laws. How did this change allow multinational media conglomerates to sweep in and build massive national brand networks?



3. In a heavily regulated era, radio stations faced strict penalties or license loss if they abandoned local programming or dropped community news quotas. How has modern deregulation allowed Bauer Media Group to cut expensive local production costs for KISS Breakfast?

They now only have one studio that broadcasts nationally meaning there is less costs on productions for local stations

4. How does the regulation of traditional AM/FM radio frequencies differ from digital-only streams? Explain how this "light-touch" digital regulation allows Bauer to launch niche sub-stations instantly on apps without complex government approval.

They have a app called Rayo meaning they do not need government approval as it is not funded by the government and they don't have a strict license 

Industry: Conglomerates, Monetization, and Multi-Brand Ecosystems

1. Who are Bauer Media Group (BMG)? Detail their scale in the UK market and contrast their commercial intent with the public service remit of the BBC.

The Bauer Media Group are a multinational cross media conglomerate they operate over 60 radio stations in the UK, they are driven strictly by profit and power whereas BBC are to inform educate and entertain and are funded by a license fee

2. Rather than relying on a single radio station to capture young people, Bauer utilizes a multi-brand strategy. Name the spin-off sub-brands built around the flagship product and explain the industry logic behind this network. What competitors are they trying to stop young audiences from turning to?

kiss is the main station
kisstory and kisstory RnB are for older skewing variants
kiss extra and kiss dance are for more niche sub genres and club music taste

3. What is the Rayo platform, and how does it change BMG's monetization model? Explain how moving from standalone station apps to a unified streaming platform allows them to shift from relying solely on advertising to securing direct consumer payments.

Rayo is a single customized streaming platform, where they introduced a subscription for ad free listening further securing consumer payments

Audience: Targeting Gen Z, Rebranding, and Media Reception

1. Define the specific age bracket, socio-economic profile, and gender bias that KISS Breakfast targets. What are the distinct media consumption habits of this core demographic?

Aimed for a 15-34 year old audience
urban demographic with a slight female bias

2. Gen Z rarely consumes media via traditional schedules.



a. What percentage of Gen Z listening to Bauer stations happens strictly via digital devices?

over 84%

b. How does BMG package KISS Breakfast content to satisfy the visual, short-form demands of audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram?

To give visual short information when the listeners aren't listening, also to attract new listeners

3. What interactive strategies does the KISS Breakfast show rely on to drive instant audience interaction, and how are these entries seamlessly completed by the listener?

they have different presenters every couple of years, which can introduce new audiences  

4. Using the theoretical frameworks discussed in class, note down how a listener might interact with KISS Breakfast:

a. Give an example of a Preferred Reading vs. an Oppositional Reading of the show.

preferred reading - 
oppositional reading - 

b. Apply Blumler & Katz's Uses and Gratifications Theory to KISS Breakfast. How does the show fulfil an audience's need for Diversion/Entertainment, Personal Relationships, Personal Identity, and Surveillance?

diversion/entertainment -
personal relationship - 
personal identity -
surveillance -

Year 11 Paper 1 Assessment: Learner Response

 1) Type up your feedback:

what went well

good knowledge of csp in the exam

next steps

work on your exam approach/technique

read each question carefully respond to the keywords in questions

a. What Mark and Grade did you get?

Grade - 4
mark - 19/42

b. What targets were you given for the longer written questions?

practice exam technique

2) Look at the mark scheme for this assessment. For Question 2 (12 mark unseen) use the indicative content in the mark scheme to identify three points that you could have referred to in your answer.

• design and layout
• typography
• non-verbal and verbal codes

3) For Question 3 (Galaxy - Propp's Character Theory) use the mark scheme to write down the main characters that you could have referenced and how we can link them to the Galaxy advert CSP. 

Audrey Hepburn - Princess
Car driver - (false) hero
Bus driver - doner

4) Now look at Question 4 (Galaxy - Class Stereotypes). Use the mark scheme to identify three points you could have made in your answer here.

The characters on the bus, the bus driver and the stall holder all have a slightly stereotypical lower class ‘look’, given their clothing and make-up.
Audrey is stereotypically ‘upper class' in terms of looks, outfit and demeanour,
The car driver is a stereotypical ‘leading man’ – handsome, successful and obviously wealthy, given his outfit, and his fancy car.

5) Next, look at Question 5 - Blackpink & Globalisation. Use the mark scheme to identify three ways the How You Like That music video has been tailored to Blackpink's global fanbase.

•Music videos can occasionally appropriate global cultural styles, sometimes without context or acknowledgment
Parts of the song is sung in English which prompts a western audience
BlackPink has global success which suggests a global impact

6) Lastly, look at Question 6 - Kiss FM & Money. Use the mark scheme to idea two revenue streams that you didn't consider in your response. How do they help to generate money for Kiss FM?

Kiss Breakfast includes advertising breaks, with advertisements being targeted at the 15–34 demographic.
Kiss was partnered with Disney + in the past and is now partnered with costa coffee
as kiss target audience is 15-34 social media will be used to gain engagement from that audience resulting in monetisation

7) Thinking ahead, write down three things you are going to work on before your next mock exam in December (e.g. time management; revising CSPs etc.)

Practicing exam technique
revise deeper into the CSPs
create a schedule to manage time

Wednesday, 7 October 2026

OSP : Marcus Rashford

 Context:


1. Open his official website (marcusrashfordofficial.com). Find ONE thing that is about FOOTBALL and ONE thing that is about CAMPAIGNING. What does this balance suggest about his brand priorities?








Language:

Analyse the website (or a page of it) using the denotation/connotation method, then judge its coherence.

1.  Write 3 things you DENOTE (literally see).

1. multiple pictures of Marcus Rashford, either playing/coaching football at at a brand photoshoot 

2.Logo and branding MR

3. a context page

2.  For each, write what it CONNOTES (suggests).

1. suggests his passion and enjoyment for photoshoots and playing or coaching football

2. suggests he is representing himself

3. suggest easy access to information

3.  Identify ONE technical code and ONE genre (website) feature

Editing - Pictures inputted that change colour when swiped over or pressed

4.  Judge: Is the site 'bitty' or 'well-integrated and coherent'? Why - and what does that say about his brand?

the site is well integrated and coherent this is because it is easy and simple to navigate through and provides smooth learning, this says that he wants simple branding

5. Describe 3 differences between his website and his Instagram/Twitter (look / content / purpose).

his website is used to inform and teach whereas his Instagram and twitter is used to promote and interact

6. How does Marcus Rashford's online presence use the narrative of his childhood upbringing to create a positive brand identity?


Industry:

Imagine a brand (e.g. Burberry or Aldi) is deciding whether to pay Marcus Rashford to promote its products. Build the case.

1.  List 3 reasons it is in the brand's interest to associate with him.

1. publicity

2. he has a huge impact

3. huge fanbase

2.  Explain HOW social media is used to make the association.

Promotes his social media and sponsors on his website

3.  Identify ONE risk to the brand if it goes wrong.

One risk is the brand may lose customers

4.  Decide: would you advise the brand to go ahead? Justify.

yes, as it has good promotion.

5. Investigate ONE brand linked with Rashford (Burberry, Aldi, Nike or Tesco). Why does that brand benefit from associating with him, and how is social media used to make the link?

Burberry, the brand may gain a larger customer list due to Rashford having a larger fanbase who may buy from that company if he is the ambassador, social media is used to reach a whole audience who may like football or have a interest to entice them to purchase the product

Audience:

Take one of his campaign posts and write all THREE readings of it.



1.  Preferred: what does he want you to think and do?

He wants us to think he is a good person and want to support everyone

2.  Negotiated: where might a follower half-agree?

Sometimes it may seem forced or not fully honest

3.  Oppositional: how might a critic reject it?

It is performative and done for positive attention

4.  Which Uses & Gratifications need does this post serve best? Why do you believe this?

Information and surveillance this is because he has multiple web links regarding his history information on his sponsors etc.

5.  Explain how his website's mode of address (style) speaks to BOTH football fans and campaign supporters.

He splits the section into separate web links so those interested in one can only read upon that while supporting him as a person

Representation:

Choose a post/page from Rashford’s website (himself, a campaign, or fans).



1.  Selection: what is shown? What is left out?

He shows himself and sponsors but leaves out fans 

2.  Construction: which media-language choices (Mise-en-scene, camera shots/angles, etc) build the representation?

He uses a range of camera angles (e,g a low angle shot) which is used to create dominance and authority within his football career 

3.  Stereotype check: positive, negative, or challenging a stereotype? (Consider stereotypes on all of CAGE) Justify.

Challenging the stereotype that famous people do not support charities and only want fame

4.  Describe one way he is represented positively and one stereotype he challenges.

He represents a charity, and also promotes things for younger children which is often stereotyped as a thing famous people do not do

5.  Evaluate: 'Rashford's online presence challenges negative stereotypes.' How far do you agree?

I agree partly this is because he doesn’t directly challenge it but at the same time he does by calling people out at wrong doings openly donating etc.

Challenge: Analyse how Marcus Rashford’s online presence has been constructed to create a positive representation of the footballer. (6 Marks)

End of year 1 exam learner response

1) Type up any feedback from your teacher in full (you do not need to write the mark/grade if you do not wish to). 2) Look at the mark schem...