At Baysgarth, Media begins in Key Stage 3 with Media Literacy. We offer fortnightly lessons exploring the key issues of online media use. The lessons create a safe space for students to discuss a range of online media, their own media use and ways to safely navigate the ever-changing online media landscape. Lessons combine oracy based discussions and IT activities, enabling students to develop their communication and computing skills, while understanding the issues being online presents. In the first year running the Media Literacy curriculum, Y7 & 8 students are taught the same lessons. However, from 2024, we will operate a spiral curriculum in which Y8 students will revisit and develop skills explored in Y7, embedding knowledge and understanding of the key strands of Media Literacy outlined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

Term 1 focuses on students' online habits, screen time, social media platforms and algorithms, online digital citizenship. Students will explore how and why they use online media as well as learning how to be safer and more ethical digital citizens.

Term 2 focuses on students and their digital footprint, online privacy and data, media creation, intellectual property and copyright. Students will explore legal aspects of online media and media creation, making sure they are aware of the law surrounding how they use and share media online.

Term 3 develops students' skills in critical thinking, exploring fake news, misinformation and disinformation. Students will explore a range of media and evaluate their reliability and credibility, as well a learning how to access a range of sources to distinguish between fact and opinion.