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The Norwood School

Photography

Name of subject: A Level Photography                                      

Examination board: AQA

Qualification: A Level*

Entry requirements: 5 x Grade 9-5 at GCSE with grade 5 in GCSE English and at least one Art based subject such as Graphics, Photography, Art or Textiles.

Description of the course (Overview): 

The course comprises of 60% coursework with an externally set assignment in the second year consisting of an 8 week preparatory period followed by a three day exam which constitutes 40% of the final grade. Students are required to be independent and explore their own ideas inspired by the work of others. Visits to exhibitions and galleries take place regularly during both years of the course. At the end of each year students work is exhibited as part of our exciting and professionally organised KS5 exhibition.

What topics will students cover?

Year 12: Students will complete a variety of projects, all of which produce coursework evidence. At the start of the course students will complete experimental workshops exploring and developing key photography skills. This is followed by two projects for which themes change yearly in response to the artists who are currently exhibiting in London. Projects are engaging, relevant and current.

Year 13: Students develop their own individual ideas for both a practical and personal study, both of which are additional coursework components. The ideas for their work evolve from their Year 12 work and personal interests in the subject. Their development is monitored through 1:1 critiques with the course tutors. Students are expected to visit galleries and exhibitions independently to support them in forming their own, personal and well developed opinions about their own and others photographic work.

What skills will they particularly develop? 

Students are encouraged and expected to be independent as well as follow a fine art process in the development of their work. Students are integral to the curation of the exhibition each year as well as being responsible for organising the presentation of their work. Through practical based projects students develop first-hand skills in studio, darkroom and digital photography, which they can apply within the industry or develop further through FE and HE courses.

Careers and progression

On completion of the course, students can progress onto a variety of Art Foundation or degree courses specialising in Photography, Design and/or Media. During the course students will have access to a range of career and further/higher education opportunities through which to support them in developing both their skills and routes for progression. Students are advised and supported in preparing their UCAS/College applications identifying appropriate routes and portfolio preparation.

Enrichment activities: 

Each student is expected to visit a minimum of four exhibitions during the first year of the course. Some of these will be led by the course tutor and others will occur independently in students own time. Work seen at exhibitions has a direct impact on students own work. Keeping up to date with the art world in London is a necessary and integral part of the course.  Excursions to different locations to shoot photographs will also take place during various points over the two years.