Nicola Elliott

About

• Nicola has been Head of Media for over 10 years in a large and diverse secondary school in Northumberland. 

• Her leadership has resulted in both KS4 and KS5 results that have been competitive nationally. 

• Nicola has worked in education for 20 years, planning curriculum content for multiple exam boards and with varied structures including BTEC Level 3 vocational courses, Animation and Creative Digital Media Production

• Within her department, even KS3 content takes students through the production process and considers all aspects of the GCSE media theoretical framework at foundation level

• The Eduqas GCSE Media Studies has regularly updated and changed set texts and therefore Nicola is proficient in understanding the aims of the exam board and what its examiners are looking for through a wide variety of case studies

• She has also tutored on the Eduqas A Level Media Studies providing a direct positive impact on independent student final outcomes

• As a trained Art and Design teacher, she also has practical skills that support coursework development and the ability to consider more deeply how products are encoded by their producers at design level

• Before becoming a teacher Nicola also gained industry experience after graduation, working as a post graduate artist for a design company in Northumberland

• She also took a sabbatical in 2014 that allowed her to experience and volunteer within educational settings ranging from the slums of India to the International Schools of Bombay and Melbourne

• Outside of work, Nicola loves travelling, being a mum and has a passion for strength training and nutrition. She can deadlift over 100kg and knows that dedication, consistency and hard work pay off!

Education

• Nicola graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA HONS in Graphic Arts and Design

• This was followed by a PGCE in Secondary Education where she received a distinction in all fields

• Nicola also achieved an A in English Language at A Level which sparked her passion for Media Studies due to its strong similarities in analytical approaches and theoretical considerations 

Expertise

• Nicola has taught Media Studies and Digital Creative Media Production skills at KS3, GCSE and Level 3 BTEC

• Her main area of expertise lies in analytical skills and media production

• Nicola’s favourite aspects of Media Studies are audience theories, media effects and decoding media language

Top revision quote for students

The most interesting part of media is why and how products communicate to the audience. Without an audience there is no point to a production…so always remember to consider them within your analysis!