Contacts: |
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| Head of Faculty Art & Design | Sophie Rodger |
| Teacher of Art & Photography | Jai Moodie |
What we aim to do:
Within the context of art and design, we aim to develop students’ skills and confidence enabling them to visually communicate ideas that are personal to them. We believe that as students learn to be creative through the different disciplines they gain a wider understanding of how to generate ideas, refine processes and ultimately to produce more exciting work.
We do not teach Photography as an independent subject at Key Stage 3 although through the art & design curriculum students will be given the opportunity to develop basic photography skills.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum and Assessment
GCSE Art & Design: Photography (Lens and Light-based Media)
This would be an ideal course for students with an interest in using technology creatively. This includes works in film, video, digital imaging and light sensitive materials. The techniques and processes learnt can also be used to convey messages and create works related to other disciplines such as web based animations, photographic images in printed journals, light projections within theatrical or architectural spaces. Students will need to have some ability to generate ideas, but outcomes will be immediate and motivating.
The course is divided into 4 units over the two years which are theme based enabling us to cover film based and digital techniques. Students are encouraged to be expressive and imaginative with their ideas and will explore use of projections, web based work and video as well as basic dark room techniques and Photoshop. Sketchbooks / journals are an essential part of the GCSE and are required throughout the course and during the examination. Homework is set regularly, however, we expect students to work with greater autonomy and to use their sketchbooks as a visual diary.
Students’ development in the practical areas of Photography is informed by understanding and enjoyment of art from a wide range of historical and cultural contexts.
GCSE Photography is divided into 2 categories for assessment:
60% Unit 1: Personal Portfolio (supporting studies and final outcomes completed in Year 10 and autumn term in Year 11)
40% Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (supporting studies plus a final outcome created in the 10 hour exam at the end of the project)
Each unit of work will comprise of supporting studies: a sketchbook full of work including all research, preparation and experimentation, and a final piece: a realisation of the unit of work which will usually take the form of a photograph, projection or series of photographs.
The work is assessed according to the following criteria:
- Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
- Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
- Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
- Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum 5 Curriculum and Assessment
We teach a 2 year A-Level course allowing time for students to develop and explore skills and ideas in more depth before they start their assessed work.
The course has a similar structure to the GCSE Photography course but is assessed at a higher level.
Through workshops, students will develop a high level of skill in digital and darkroom techniques and processes. Photography includes works in film, video, digital imaging and light-sensitve materials. Sometimes specific techniques and processes are used to convey messages and create works related to other disciplines, such as web-based animations, phtographic images in printed journals and light projections within theatrical or architectural spaces.
Students' development in the practical areas of Art and Design is formed by understanding and enjoyment of art and photography from a wide range of historical and cultural contexts. Students develop a deeper understanding of how to research and respond to different artists and photographers and are supported in developing their own ideas with the aim of creating a personal final outcome. Students are encourage to be expressive and imaginative with their ideas and use of media.
Sketchbooks are an essential part of GCE Photography and are required throughout the course and during the examination. Students are provided with a sketchbook to encourage greater autonomy and to use as a visual diary.
GCE Photography is divided into 2 categories of assessment:
60% Component1: Personal Investigation:
Part 1: Practical Work - From personal starting points students submit supporting studies and personal outcomes. (72 marks out of 90)
Part 2: Personal Study - Students submit a piece of continuous prose of a minimum of 1000 words. (18 marks out of 90)
40% Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (72 marks available)
- Externally set, broad based theme released to teachers on 1 February.
- Sustained focus period of 15 hours controlled assessment in which students create final responses to the theme.
- Students submit preparatory studies and personal outcomes.
The work is assessed according to the following criteria:
- Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
- Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
- Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
- Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
Our Key Stage 5 Coordinator runs 'Sketchbook & Portfolio Surgeries' throughout the year. Our expert teaching team is always on hand to advise with Foundation course applications and portfolio preparation.
Enrichment Opportunities
Each year we have an artist or designer in residence for two terms who is available to work with students and run afterschool activities. They are also available for students to see how an artist works in regards to career opportunities.
The Art and Design Technology Faculty has an ‘open door’ policy which allows students to use our space and facilities to work on homework and individual projects. A weekly Key Stage 3 Painting club runs every Tuesday after school and targeted groups of students will be given extra-curricular Art project opportunities throughout the year..
We work with a variety of other galleries and local artists such as Royal Academy of Art, Camden Arts Centre, Photographers Gallery, British Museum, October Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
Additional Information
All students interested in a career in the arts should be constantly looking for inspiration on art blogs and websites such as pinterest and instagram.
The following are some other useful websites:
http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/
Students who wish to study Art subjects, will benefit from broad based courses, particularly those who wish to follow courses in Theatre, Media, Fine Art & Design related subjects or Architecture. In order to be successful in Art, a high degree of interest and commitment is more important than having a natural ability.