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Stewards Academy

Stewards Academy

Science Specialist

Photography

Subject Intent

Through Art and Photography, we guide and nurture growth of developing minds by providing opportunities to explore, research, invent, investigate, express, dream, reflect and communicate in a stimulating environment that celebrates diversity.  We endeavour to develop critical thinking and interpret the world around us. Through the development of visual literacy and the art of conversation, students are prepared to analyse and interpret their visual world in many types of forms. We believe that it is through the Arts that we ask questions, ponder unsolved problems, take risks, and seek to understand experiences of past, present and future.

Aims

The overarching aim for Art and Photography is to promote high standards of presentation, research and exploration by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken, written and visual word. The subjects promote to develop their love of the world around us through widespread research and skill-based learning for enjoyment. The curriculum for Art and Photography aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Appreciation of different approaches to recording images, such as observation, analysis, expression and imagination.
  • Understanding of the conventions of figurative/representational and abstract/non-representational imagery or genres.
  • Appreciation of different ways and approaches of working.
  • Understanding of pictorial space, composition, rhythm, scale and structure.
  • Appreciation of colour, line, tone, texture, space, shape and form.
  • The ability to respond to an issue, theme, concept or idea, or work to a brief or answer a need in Art/Photography.
  • How ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts in the chosen area(s) of study.
  • Investigate historical, contemporary developments and different styles and genres.
  • Explore how images and artefacts relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts, and to the time and place in which they were created.

Key Stage 4

During the course of GCSE Photography students will be exposed to the theory and practical side of photography. Students are encouraged to work from real experiences with many trips offered for each of the projects throughout the course. Through photography students will be exposed to ideas, themes, subjects and feelings that can inspire creative responses informed by different styles, genres and aesthetic considerations.

Students are required to develop knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to their chosen title through integrated practical, critical and contextual study that encourages direct engagement with original works and practice. Students must, over time, reflect critically upon their creative journey and its effectiveness in relation to the realisation of personal intentions.

Whilst studying photography students will be working with the AQA exam board, this requires students to explore different artists and themes, experiment with materials, record ideas and produce an outcome for each project.

Component/unit 1    

What is assessed:

  • Three projects consisting of:
  • Structures
  • Cities
  • Natural Forms
  • 60% Coursework – containing three sustained projects and then a further selection of experimental work.
  • Students will be assessed on their ability to research artists, designers, themes, ability to experiment with ideas and materials, ability to record their own ideas and their own unique outcome which will link to the project.

How will it be assessed:

  • Within in school by the subject teachers and then further assessed by an external AQA moderator.

 

Component/unit 2 /Externally set exam

What is assessed:

40% Exam – One project externally set by the exam board (AQA).

  • Students will be assessed on their ability to research artists, designers, themes, ability to experiment with ideas and materials, ability to record their own ideas and their own unique outcome which will link to the project.
  • The exam project will run from the first week in January until the end of April. All exam work and coursework should be completed by this date.

How will it be assessed:

Within in school by the subject teachers and then further assessed by an external AQA moderator.

 

Please provide a brief description of the departments homework policy for pupils at KS4

GCSE students are required to work independently, and it is essential deadlines are met and kept too.

Homework will be to set that links with their current projects to ensure students are completing certain pages by certain times.

The department offers x3 coursework sessions a week, students should be attending at least one of these sessions whilst also completing at least an hour a week at home, totalling students to be spending at least x2 hours a week working independently outside the classroom.

Students will be expected to take their own photographs outside of school. Phone are acceptable to do this and cameras are available to borrow.