Two Year 12 Media Studies groups used their Stage 1 KEY+ funding to design experiences that would strengthen relationships, communication and teamwork within their wider class of 15 students. Both groups recognised the importance of collaboration within their course and wanted to create opportunities that would help them build the skills needed for future media production work, including planning, negotiation, problem-solving and communication.

One group, The Escape Artists, organised a visit to Cluedini Escape Rooms in Darlington, where students worked in teams to solve themed challenges within an hour. The activity also supported their understanding of media concepts such as mise-en-scene, as they explored how set design, props, and costume were used to create atmosphere and narrative. The different escape room designs included wild west themes and traditional 40s style props and decorations.

The Escape Artists said: “We will soon be working on a short film project as part of our course and will need to design and create appropriate sets for our work and think carefully about which props and costumes to use. We got lots of ideas from each room.”

For most of the group, this was a completely new experience, and it provided a valuable opportunity to develop communication and teamwork skills in a practical setting. The group also demonstrated strong planning skills by negotiating a discounted rate and ensuring the trip remained within budget.

The second group, Gourmet Gurus, arranged a shared restaurant experience at an Italian restaurant in Darlington to help build confidence and strengthen social connections in a relaxed environment. They began by gathering feedback from the group (of 15) to consider dietary needs and preferences, before agreeing on a suitable venue and managing the booking in advance. They then chose Uno Momento and created a spreadsheet to pre-order starters, main courses and drinks for everyone, helping the restaurant prepare for such a large party. For many students, this was their first experience of eating at an Italian restaurant, making it both enjoyable and memorable.

The Gourmet Gurus said: “Organising the event was not easy. We were determined to find somewhere where we could enjoy a meal with all of our peers, but this meant the budget had to stretch quite a long way. However, we managed to arrange an Italian lunch and it was such a good feeling to know that our efforts had benefitted other people.”

Both groups reflected positively on their Stage 1 experiences with students saying that they felt proud of their achievements and much more confident in their ability to make good decisions.

The Gourmet Gurus have already seized upon their newfound confidence and progressed onto Stage 2 with an extended team name ‘The Gourmet Gurus Go Glamping.’ The group have recently completed their Stage 2 panel and after receiving a well-deserved yes, they are now planning a weekend glamping experience for five people which will further test their ability to budget, work and live with other people, plan a menu, arrange transport and organise activities for the weekend.

The team said: “We will all be applying for university next year so this will give us a taste of independence and allow us to prove to ourselves that we can share accommodation with other people, go grocery shopping on a budget, cook healthy meals and make good decisions.”

“If we do this well, we hope to move onto Stage 3.”

Overall, the activities provided a strong foundation for their ongoing KEY+ journey, helping them recognise the importance of collaboration and planning within both their studies and future aspirations.

The groups said: “Teamwork is such an important part of media production; it’s impossible to produce a film, a marketing campaign, a magazine product and other products without the support of others, so we will need to rely on each other as our course progresses if we want to succeed.”