Overview of the edexcel photography course run at Finchley Catholic High School, along with student examples and course requirements.

1. PHOTOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
PHOTOGRAPHY AS/A2 COURSE

2. This is a creative photography course with an emphasis on
photography as an art form, focusing on digital-media and
installation. Students are encouraged to not only build a
solid level of camera expertise, but their ability to understand
visual language will be considerably refined.
Photographic skills are in high demand within the Creative
Industries. However the ability to think and act creatively are
important skills that will serve you well in most professions.
Why study Photography at FCHS?

3. Students who have studied the course often
go on to further education at universities and
colleges in the UK and abroad: in recent
years, students have been offered places on
Photography degree courses at
Southampton, Westminster, Manchester and
Middlesex.
Students also pursue careers in film, design,
fashion, fine art, graphic communication,
media and architecture.
What do students go on to achieve?

4. HOW DOES ASSESSMENT SPLIT?
AS 50% COURSEWORK 50%EXAM
A2 60% COURSEWORK AND ESSAY 40% EXAM
AS TITLES EXPLORED:
PORTRAIT
LANDSCAPE
DOCUMENTARY
A2 TITLE:
BASED UPON TITLE CHOSEN AT AS
BASICS
These will feed into a
sustained personal
investigation of which you will
choose

5. A01: DEVELOPMENT – The way the initial idea changes and
grows relating to the images and research produced.
AO2: EXPEREMENTATION – The use of different media,
techniques and materials.
AO3: RECORDING – The strength of your images, focus,
composition , lighting & subject and the ability to research
other artists and verbalise personal ideas successfully.
AO4: REALISATIONS – The final piece, a confident piece of
work that incorporates all the different elements of your project
must be imaginative and we3ll executed.
FOUR MAIN ASSESSMENT
OBJECTIVES:

6. Students who are wishing to commit to the course
should have the following:
• A minimum of a C grade at GCSE for Art or Technology
Or
• A keen interest in a creative subject with a passion for
the arts
If a student does not have a GCSE in art and design, then
they must submit 20 images in a portfolio with a
paragraph explaining why you would like to join the
course by July 2016.
Course Requirements:

7. AO1: DEVELOPMENT
EXAMPLES of previous work:

8. A02: EXPERIMENT
EXAMPLES:

9. Current work
AO2
Experimentation

10. AO3: RECORDING
EXAMPLES:

11. Current work
A03
Recording Y12 and Y13 trip to Alexandra Palace

12. AO3: RECORDING
EXAMPLES of digital coursework:

13. A04: REALISATION
EXAMPLES:

14. YEAR 12:
•Component 1 - Coursework (50%) –
PORTRAIT
LANDSCAPE
DOCUMENTARY (2 weeks each)
Students then use the learning achieved in these to build
coursework from their own personal starting point and create
a final outcome.
•Component 2 - Exam unit (50%) –
Use a starting point set by the exam board to create a
coursework based project, resulting again in a final outcome.
Examples of previous starting points:
‘EXPERIENCES, MEETINGS AND ENCOUNTERS’ (2013),
‘EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER’ (2014), ‘RELATIONSHIPS’ (2015)

15. YEAR 13 - The course is now linear - the second year runs directly on
from the AS year.
• Component 1 - Coursework and Essay (60%)
This will link with but move on from their work in AS. At the
end of the coursework, they will create a final outcome.
The essay will –
• demonstrate their understanding of correct terminology
• shows their ability to compare and contrast relevant
contextual artists
• 3000 words and runs alongside their practical work
• Component 2 - Exam unit (40%)
Use a starting point set by the exam board to create a
coursework based project, resulting again in a final outcome.
Examples of previous starting points:
‘INSIDE, OUTSIDE & INBETWEEN’ (2013) ‘GROWTH &
EVOLUTION’ (2014) and ‘FLAWS & PERFECTION’ (2015)

16. Pervious student examples
of work

26. Current student examples
of work