The Media & Film department at Wyke Sixth Form College has achieved a remarkable milestone, earning a Bronze award in the Teaching Team of the Year category at the Pearson National Teachers Awards. This accolade is often referred to as the equivalent of an Oscar in education, highlighting the exceptional dedication and success of the team.
Head of Department Becky Ives champions the belief that "Your geographical location does not determine your success!" This philosophy is evident in the achievements of their students, many of whom now hold prestigious positions in the media and film industry, working for renowned organizations such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Netflix, and on blockbusters including Godzilla, Dune, and The Last of Us.
The award complements the department's outstanding student outcomes, which place them at the top of the national league table. Last year, A Level Media Studies students achieved exceptional results, with 100% earning A*-C grades and 90% achieving A*-B grades, placing them in the top 1% of the country according to ALPS. A Level Film Studies and BTEC Creative Media students also achieved grades that placed them in the top 10%.
Becky Ives emphasizes the importance of their talented alumni, stating, "One great thing about having such a wealth of talented alumni is we can draw on them as examples of what can be achieved to our current students!"
A prime example is former Hessle High student Jasmine Lowe, who pursued her dream of becoming a journalist at Wyke. Encouraged by the team, Jasmine applied for the highly competitive BBC Fast-Track Journalism Apprenticeship, which receives 3000 applications, and was successful. Jasmine frequently returns to support current students with their applications and shares insights about her role at the BBC.
Principal Julie Peaks proudly announced the achievement to the Wyke community, saying, "I'm really pleased to announce that the Media and Film team have been recognized on a national level. This Bronze award is in recognition of the team’s outstanding provision, both inside and outside the classroom. I can't say how much I think this team deserves awards, so congratulations to everyone that makes it happen for our students."
The department's commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, offering an unrivaled enrichment program. Over half of the students who study Media and Film go on to work in media-related fields. The team provides students with a variety of real-world experiences, including:
To discover more about Media and Film at Wyke, visit wyke.ac.uk/courses
