Why Choose Art, Craft and Design?

Photography is a subject where you develop your visual language skills in recording and responding to the world around you. As a digital-based course you have access to DSLR cameras, as well as a studio, and will develop your skills and understanding of photography techniques, photography for different purposes and skills in editing and manipulation using both digital software and low-tech techniques.

 

The skills achieved through studying A level Photography are wide ranging. Students learn to think creatively, take risks with their work and ideas, be ambitious and curious about the world. Students learn to reflect, research, analyse along with learning to work independently and manage time efficiently. These skills are applicable for any university course and area of life.

 

Studying Photography provides entry to an unprecedented range of photography and design based specialisms and skills – both traditional and digital. The creative industries are one of the fastest growing in the UK and this is reflected in the broad range of creative courses available at university as well as future careers.

 

To study A Level Photography a GCSE grade 5 in an Art based subject is preferred. However, if you have not taken Photography at GCSE, you can present a portfolio of work produced in your own time for consideration.

 
Course Content

(Condensed information from the spec. including a breakdown of components/modules – coursework, exams, controlled assessments)

 

We follow the Eduqas specification for A Level Art and Design: Photography. The course consists of two assessed units:

·         Unit 1: Personal Investigation Portfolio, a coursework unit, 60% of overall mark. There is also a 1000-3000 word assignment as part of this unit.

·         Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment, 40% of overall mark. Papers are released in February and the project approach assignment is studied until May and results in a 15 hour exam.

 

Course Structure

Year 12:

Skill Building and Workshops
In the first and second term students complete a variety of project-based workshops that introduce a broad range of digital photography techniques and low-tech skills. Students will also be introduced to, and select, a variety of different artists and designers to research and create a personal response to.

Unit 1 Personal Investigation
Towards the end of year 12 students prepare for the Personal Investigation by selecting a theme to research and investigate.

Year 13:

Unit 1 Personal Investigation
Students continue to research and develop outcomes for the Personal Investigation. Students will also produce a piece of written research (1000-3000 words) that looks at some wider aspect of the theme. This will run from September to January.

Unit 2 Externally Set Task
From February to May, students research one of the set themes from the exam paper and then have 15 hours to produce, unaided, an outcome.

 

Methods of teaching, learning and assessment

(Include information about the skills developed)

 

Learning is developed through group workshops, practical demonstrations and individual tutorials, supported by the use of digital portfolios and sketchbooks, gallery visits and other appropriate support and research materials.

At the end of both the first and second years there are assessments where students demonstrates their progress during the course. Examinations at the end of the first year are internal assessments. At the end of the second year there is a 15 hour practical exam to conclude the exam unit.

 

Opportunities for learning outside of the classroom

We run a number of educational visits to exhibitions and galleries to encourage engagement with photography and art outside of the classroom.