HASELBURY ROAD

THE LATYMER SCHOOL EDMONTON

Founded 1624 LONDON N9 9TN
Tel: 020 8807 4037
Fax: 020 8887 8111
Headteacher e-mail: office@latymer.co.uk
Mark E Garbett MA M.Ed NPQH Homepage:www.latymer.co.uk

4th September 2008

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am writing to introduce myself as the Head of Media Studies at Latymer and to let you
know some information that will be important for all students studying Media in Year 12
this academic year.

Media Studies is usually considered to be a rewarding subject to study, but as with most
creative subjects or those with a significant proportion of practical work, it can be time-
consuming and does at times require some extra commitment outside lessons,
particularly in the build-up to a coursework deadline. It is important that students
organise their time effectively in order to achieve their best, and they are encouraged to
talk to their Media teachers as soon as possible if they are struggling to keep up, or if
they have problems managing their time, particularly when things start to get very busy
later this term.

All Media students will be involved in the Foundation coursework project which will start
in November and will be completed in January 2009. The students will work in groups
on a film project using sound and video. This is the only coursework project the students
will be involved in during the AS course, and is worth 50% of the total marks. The
students will need to work closely in their group to shoot and edit their film to a high
standard. To maintain this high standard, the groups will be expected to film their
footage on location outside school, possibly during free time in the week but mainly
during weekends.

To ensure that the work is shared equally and that all the students are able to be
involved, we have identified 3 compulsory filming weekends during the project, when
any off-site filming work will be completed. Whilst the groups will not need to be filming
constantly on these days, we do ask that they keep these dates free and ensure they are
as flexible as possible when it comes to scheduling their group sessions. This will enable
group plans to be made ahead of time and allow all students to attend the sessions.

The dates we have selected for this academic year are as follows:

Weekend 1: practice shoot

29th + 30th November 2009

Weekend 2: main shoot

6th + 7th December 2009

Weekend 3: back-up shoot

13th + 14th December 2009

Students may also be expected to film on weekdays when the school is closed, for
example on the Inset Day on Monday 24th November and on the afternoon of the Awards
Ceremony on Tuesday 9th December. I realise all these dates are some way off, but
would be grateful if you could mark them on your calendar now so as to limit the
potential for clashes.
All coursework dates and deadlines are published in the AS Media Studies student course
folder and are transferred into their planner at the start of the year. Please do get in
touch with me if anything happens during the course of the year that may affect your
son or daughter meeting their coursework deadlines in Media. Extensions can of course
be granted in cases of serious illness, but would need to be evidenced by a doctor’s
letter. Special consideration can also be applied in cases of genuine personal or family
difficulties, but if a situation like this does occur, I would be grateful if you could make
contact with me directly or via Mr Ninkovic so we can decide how to proceed in the best
interest of your son or daughter.

May I take this opportunity to welcome (or welcome back!) your son or daughter into
the Latymer School Media Department; I do hope they find their learning an enjoyable
and enriching experience. Please do not hesitate to contact me (either by email or
through the School Office) if you have any questions about the contents of this letter or
any concerns throughout the course of this year.

Best wishes,

Nikki Blackborow
Head of Media Studies
The Latymer School
blk@latymer.co.uk

Please detach the slip below and fill it in. Your son or daughter has been asked to return
the slip with their homework for next lesson. Thank you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Student’s name: Form:

Parent/carer:

Relationship to student:

I have read the contents of the letter with my son/ daughter and have noted the filming
dates for the group project. I understand the need to keep these dates free and will
ensure my son/ daughter’s availability for filming and editing. I agree to notify Mrs
Blackborow if there are any problems ahead of time.

Signed:

Date: