Photography

Photography Department Curriculum Intent

Intent

This course is one that is not offered at KS3 and therefore begins in KS4. Students spend the beginning of the course learning the basics and use of the camera and it’s different functions. Through a series of ‘workshop’ style lessons, students are taught how to analyse and respond to the work of others.

Throughout the course students are given the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills, to include:

● developing and exploring ideas

● researching primary and contextual sources

● experimenting with media, materials, techniques and processes

● presenting personal response(s)

Implementation

Throughout the course the SOW are designed to fulfil all assessment objectives and students learn about a range of elements including composition and colour. Students explore a range of physical and digital manipulation using techniques including Photoshop. Students studying Photography also get the opportunity to gather their own images from London and Oxford.

Detailed monitoring and feedback allows students to improve the quality of their photographs and their annotation.

Impact

The induction period in photography equips students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to understand and achieve the assessment objectives.

Despite a dip in 4 – 9 GCSE grades in the last set of results, the previous year reached the National average and we would expect this level of achievement to return in the next set of results.

Key Stage 4

Qualification: GCSE

Examination board: Edexcel

Exam Specification

Lens and light based media: Students will learn how to work with a DSLR camera as well as compact cameras.  They will use a number of facilities including a full studio, lighting, filters and number of different lenses.  Students will become confident at describing and explaining using all the technical language as well as Photoshop. 

Students will also learn a number of different genres and professional photographers that will help them to gain a better understanding of the photographer’s work and how it can influence their work. Students will create a number of photographic final pieces with the development of all your studies.

Unit 1 - Personal Portfolio (worth 60%) in Year 10 and Year 11

This is a collection of final pieces that are produced to a number of topics which is supported with a portfolio and sketchbook.

Unit 2 - Externally Set Assignment in Art and Design (worth 40%) in Year 11

This is a final piece produced in an exam with preparatory work that is produced in the weeks leading up to the exam which supports the development and production of the final piece.