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Westfield Secondary School

Photography

Overview

Introduction

GCSE photography is a two-year course which is designed to engage, inspire and challenge. Projects are graded through four assessment objectives (AOs): AO1 artist links, AO2 development of ideas, AO3 observations and recordings and AO4 final response.

Qualification

GCSE: Art and Design (Photography)

Awarding body

AQA

Course leader

Miss R Blackburn

Assessment

  • Examination: 10%
    • Component 2: externally set assignment (AO4) | 10 hours | 10%
  • Non-examined assessment: 90%
    • Component 1: portfolio (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4) | 60%
    • Component 2: externally set assignment (AO1, AO2, AO3) | 30%

Curriculum

Course content

Students begin by building skills and knowledge of photography skills such as lighting, viewpoint, depth of field and compositions before putting these skills into practice to build a portfolio of work which combines multiple projects.

All projects start with AO1, artist links, where students study the work of existing artists through written analysis and visual means. This informs the style of work produced, and enable student to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of art and design.

As part of  AO3, observations and recordings, students produce a variety of observational photographs displaying their skills focusing on a range of subject matter. The observational studies will be informed and inspired by the themes and styles of the artist studied in AO1.

These two stages are then combined to produce work for AO2, development of ideas. Here you explore editing programmes such as Photoshop to create their own designs through experimentation, taking inspiration from the artist whilst working within the project theme. Through these experimental studies they then refine their ideas to produce one final personal response to the project (AO4).

Skills and requirements

Skills required

We will continue to build on the skills developed in key stage 3. However, it is essential that students have a love and enthusiasm for the subject.

Skills covered in key stage 4 photography include observational study through photography, photograph manipulation, creative ideas, annotation skills, written analysis of an artist’s work or style.

Beyond the classroom

Future pathways

Students can continue to study art and design as a vocational course or at AS and A-level. An art and design GCSE will also support you to study other creative courses in further education.

Art and design opens the door to many exciting careers such as:

  • illustrator
  • hair and make-up artist
  • fashion designer
  • animator
  • graphic designer
  • theatre designer
  • architect
  • product designer
  • games designer
  • photographer
  • artist
  • ceramic artist
  • teaching plus many more

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