The GCSE Course

At GCSE level students complete a coursework unit which is made up for 4 separate projects and is worth 60% of their overall grade, and an external Examination set by the exam board worth 40% of their grade. The coursework projects are; ‘Black and white’, ‘Still life’, ‘Me, Myself and I’ and ‘Colour.’ Each project explores the work of various photographers relating to the theme and requires students to take photographs in the style of each person studied before developing their own ideas individually and producing their own outcomes. 6 outcomes for each project are mounted and presented alongside exam outcomes in their end of Yr 11 exhibition.  

The exam unit is started in January of Yr 11 and after a 6-8 week period of developmental work concludes in a 10 hour examination.

In all units of work students are expected to rely heavily on ICT processes and editing techniques which must be documented in their sketchbooks through print screens and clear annotations in order to gain more than half of the available marks.  

A Level Course

The AS course consists of 2 seperate units worth equal marks (50% each) 

Unit 1 - Coursework consists of 2 projects: Black and white (book 1), portrait and reflection (book 2) this runs between september and january.
 
unit 2 - Examination has a theme set by exam board which begins in early February.
 
The A2 course consists of 2 seperate units also worth equal marks (50% each)
 
Unit 3 - Coursework consists of 2 books with a related thead between them and a supporting essay of 1000 words linking the the second book. The theme of these is chosen by the student with guidance from their teacher.
 
Unit 4 - Examination has a theme set by the exam board which begins in early February.
 
During both years candidates have to produce sets of final images which are mounted on mount board and presented for moderation by the exam board along with their sketchbooks during their end of year exhibition.