Curriculum Intent – Art and Photography 

The Art and Photography curriculum is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression through the exploration of diverse artistic movements, cultures, and techniques. Students engage with both historical and contemporary art, gaining an appreciation of the role that the creative industries play in shaping society and contributing to the economy. 

Our intent is to support students in developing their own artistic voice while learning to appreciate and respect the views and practices of others. The curriculum encourages thoughtful engagement with personal, social, and global issues through visual communication, supporting the development of empathy, open-mindedness, and responsible citizenship. 

Implementation 

Students follow a carefully structured programme that builds core technical skills and conceptual understanding over time. At Key Stage 3, learning is sequenced to ensure a strong foundation in drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media, with regular opportunities to revisit and refine key techniques. 

Classroom practice supports the development of independent thinking, collaboration, and respectful dialogue. Students are given opportunities to express their own ideas while listening to and considering different viewpoints during class discussions, critiques, and peer reviews. 

Projects often explore themes such as identity, culture, and society, encouraging students to reflect on their own values and experiences while recognising the perspectives of others. All learners are supported to take creative risks, solve problems, and engage in meaningful debate through artistic enquiry. Literacy is embedded through the use of artist research, analysis, and reflective writing, helping students to communicate with clarity and respect.  

Syllabus: GCSE: Photography

Course Code: Edexcel (1PY0) Photography

Website: Edexcel GCSE Art and Design (2016) | Pearson qualifications

Course overview

The aims of the course are to:

• Increase and improve each student’s confidence in his/her ability by the development of photography-based skills in a variety of media including both traditional and new digital technologies.
• Develop an increased awareness and response to the visual environment.
• Promote an awareness of the multicultural society, utilising the rich variety of stimuli of past and present cultures.
• Increase an awareness of, and interest in, photographers, artists, designers and their work – both past and present.
• Develop an understanding of the design process and the nature of design implementation for technology.
• Develop critical faculties in the understanding and appreciation of photography and art..

Course content

The course will involve working on two components and will give the opportunity to work in the following areas:

• Portraiture
• Location photography
• Studio photography
• Experimental imagery
• Installation
• Documentary photography
• Photo-journalism