Photography
Photography Department Intent
The department curriculum is structured to engage and inspire students to believe in their potential and to enable them to take risks to explore a range of materials whilst refining and developing creative skills. We ask students to form opinions whilst exploring the work of others and offer students the opportunity for self-reflection whilst broadening their cultural experiences.
The curriculum makes natural links to other subjects and underpins student’s development of knowledge through schemes of work that challenge and inspire students to learn with increasing independence and challenge throughout the key stages. The foundation of the department is that if a student receives the highest quality experiences, they will have the confidence to independently take risks in their work so that they are able to accelerate their learning. This is evidenced in our department results. ALL department staff have positive aspirations for ALL students and the positive atmosphere the department creates is essential to the success of our curriculum. Students feel secure and so are able to take risks and explore their work making meaningful personal connections.
The curriculum has been developed to enable students to develop the skills and knowledge needed for A level and no student is deemed incapable of developing those skills even if their prior starting point from KS2 is low. Staff work closely with local primary schools on projects and workshops to ensure transition is strong to maximise the right level of challenge in year 7. The curriculum is planned to assess current knowledge and skills of individuals before adapting a learning sequence to address gaps in knowledge or skills.
Students in Y7, 8 and 9 are taught elements of art simultaneously to enable teachers to maximise the challenge they are setting between year groups and for students to be able to confidently identify the progress they are making to take advantage of that feeling of success to drive excellence and further challenge.
The department offers a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities through art clubs, competitions, exhibitions, community projects, whole school impact days, the Arts Award, visiting artist workshops and trips both in the UK and internationally. We actively target disadvantaged groups to ensure uptake is at least at 25% of the cohort. Praise is widely used through our stars and artwork of the month, parents are engaged with this through email notifications and use of Facebook to showcase students work.
Key Stage 4
Introduction
Students will be introduced to digital photographic techniques including composition, lighting, colour and B&W images. They will learn how to confidently use digital technology including Adobe Photoshop to enhance their images and explore a range of outcomes.
Students explore a range of photographic genres including portraiture, landscape, still life and experimental photography and will present their work in digital sketchbooks, paper sketchbooks and boards.
In addition, as part of their creative journey, students will develop their own ideas by exploring relevant images and sources relating to Photography, as well as a wide range of art and design, both from the past and more recent times. This will culminate in the production of original photographic works of their own.
Exam Board, Course Content & Assessment Detail
- Exam Board—AQA
- Component 1 coursework (60%)
- Component 2 Exam (40%)
Other Relevant Information
At the end of the course work is displayed for final moderation by the examiners. This includes a portfolio of work in sketchbooks - coursework (60%) and examination work (40%).
Photography is primarily coursework based so this involves time and care to complete classwork and homework throughout the two years.
Key Stage 5
Introduction
Students will be introduced to photographic & film media and explore techniques such as composition, lighting, colour and B&W images. Our darkroom facility offers the opportunity to create photography using the traditional darkroom and chemical techniques including making pinhole cameras, photograms and chemigrams.
They will learn how to confidently use digital technology including Adobe Photoshop to enhance their images and explore a range of outcomes.
Students explore a range of photographic genres including portraiture, landscape, still life and experimental photography and will present their work in digital sketchbooks, paper sketchbooks and boards. Students will produce a ‘Personal Investigation’ into an area of Photography of their choice.
In addition, as part of their creative journey, students will develop their own ideas by exploring relevant images and sources relating to Photography, as well as a wide range of art and design, both from the past and more recent times. This will culminate in the production of original photographic works of their own.
To enhance this creative journey and cement students understanding of the subject, we visit galleries in London to allow students the opportunity to experience the work of leading artists and photographers first hand.
What can this lead to?
This can lead to a career in the UK’s world leading creative industries including careers in film, television, social media, advertising, graphics, design, web design etc.
What will I study?
- portraiture
- landscape photography (working from the urban, rural and/or coastal environment)
- still life photography (working from objects or from the natural world)
- documentary photography, photojournalism
- fashion photography
- experimental imagery
- multimedia
- photographic installation moving image (video, film, animation).
How are students assessed?
Students work will be assessed using 4 assessment objectives. The A level consists of personal study and an externally set assignment of which 15 hours are carried out under examination conditions.