Curriculum Intent

This 3-year, GCSE Photography course, aims to ensure a breadth of experience across within this specialism, allowing students the opportunity to explore and develop their technical skills as well as to express personal ideas and feelings. This engaging and dynamic program allows students to explore the art of visual storytelling, develop technical skills, and express their unique perspectives through the lens. Throughout the course, students will master various photographic techniques, from composition, depth of field, viewpoint and lighting to digital editing, while building a comprehensive portfolio. With a focus on both practical and theoretical aspects, this course encourages creativity, critical thinking, and an understanding of photography’s impact on society. Perfect for aspiring photographers and artists, the GCSE Photography course offers the opportunity to develop a lifelong skill while achieving a qualification that opens doors to further education and career opportunities. Students work in sketchbooks, which record and reflect their creative journeys and provide evidence of their developing skills and knowledge. Sketchbooks will also contain teacher assessment, feedback and targets, as the students constantly engage in the process of reviewing and refining their work.

There are four assessment objectives to work towards on the course;

  • Developing ideas through sustained investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources
  • Refining ideas by exploring resources, selecting and experimenting with media, materials, techniques and processes and reviewing work as it develops
  • Recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions
  • Presenting a personal and meaningful response realising intentions and making connections with previous research

Year 9 Photography Long Term Plan

Year 10 Photography Long Term Plan

Year 11 Photography Long Term Plan