GCSE Art and Design: Photography       Exam Board: AQA

In year 10, the GCSE courses begins with a series of introductory skills-based workshops, priming students with the fundamental skills they need for further progression into the course. These workshops will largely focus on digital manipulation techniques and will also introduce students to other critical skills such as setting up a Photography studio, adjusting lighting and darkroom based processes. 

Throughout the rest of the course, students undertake three major projects: Opposites (coursework 1), Boundaries & Edges (coursework 2) and an externally set assignment (exam project). 

The two coursework projects together equate to 60% of the GCSE.

The externally set assignment/exam project equates to 40% of the GCSE.

For each project, students will create portfolio work that meets the four main GCSE assessment criteria: 

• AO1 - Developing ideas
• AO2 - Refinement of ideas
• AO3 - Recording of ideas
• AO4 - Presenting a personal and meaningful response

Coursework - Component 1 (60% of GCSE)

Students will generate, develop and refine visual ideas through investigating the work of other Photographers and visual sources, and by using a wide range of techniques and skills to create highly personalised outcomes. All of this work will be recorded in the form of digital portfolios, physical outcomes, sketchbooks and presented work. 

Externally-Set Assignment - Component 2 (40% of GCSE)

Students are to choose one question from a range of questions supplied by the exam board. Following receipt of the paper, students need to consider their starting points and select one. Students prepare for the 10-hour exam period by producing a digital and/or physical portfolio of work, and plan the outcome(s) they are going to produce in the exam period. Preparatory work and the work produced during the 10 hours of supervised time will be assessed together, as a whole, against all four assessment objectives.

GCE Art & Design: Photography       Exam board: AQA

Component 1: Personal investigation (60% of A Level)

Students initially undertake a series of skills based creative workshops which refine their photographic and artistic abilities, and familiarises students with the GCE course requirements. Leading on from this, students are required to conduct a practical investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. There is no restriction on the scale of work produced. It must confirm understanding of creative decisions, providing evidence of all four assessment objectives by:

• clarifying the focus of the investigation
• demonstrating critical understanding of contextual and other sources
• substantiating decisions leading to the development and refinement of ideas
• recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions by reflecting critically on work
• making meaningful connections between, visual, written and other elements.

Component 2: Externally-set assignment (40% of A level)

Students are to choose one question from a range of questions supplied by the exam board. Following receipt of the paper, students need to consider their starting points and select one. Students prepare for the 15-hour exam period by producing a digital and/or physical portfolio of work, and plan the outcome(s) they are going to produce in the exam period. Preparatory work and the work produced during the 15 hours of supervised time will be assessed together, as a whole, against all four assessment objectives.

Mrs K Cato - Curriculum Leader 

Mr E Clayton - Assistant Curriculum Leader

Mrs K Gibbs - Art and Photography Teacher 

Miss S Houston - Teacher of Art and Photography

Ms J Hawes - Technician 

Mr P Bates - Technician

Mrs A Watkinson - Technician

www.pinterest.co.uk 

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/art/ - Useful glossary of terms and advice on techniques 

www.YouTube.com step-by-step videos – search the technique you want help/advice on. 

www.studentartguide.com - lots of articles and advice from teachers and students. Includes lots of examples of very high-quality art portfolios from all over the world.  Perfect inspiration for all years.