Stoke Newington School is a creative environment which supports all the creative subjects, acknowledging their individual and collective importance in the curriculum. The School values the student’s learning in these subjects and, especially in the visual arts, acts as an agent to extend their awareness across the student and teaching body.

Within this framework, Photography is well-placed to engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment creatively. This bolsters their learning within the subject and extends their resilience in risk-taking and problem-solving across their studies.

In all our projects students learn about the broader cultural background to historical and contemporary photography. This supports the inclusive ethos of the school but provides a learning space where students include their own cultures in their work.

Understanding the capabilities of the digital camera is an important starting point for Photography students and this encourages a critical dialogue with their own work. Students develop the practical key skills to underpin their knowledge which equip them to develop as critical thinkers and experimenters with a clear understanding of meaning and purpose.

Students in KS4 experience creativity through activities which engage students in practical skills-based learning. This supports them in developing a reflective awareness of their own learning process. Students learn through a range of group, individual and bespoke activities which target creative learning as part of the process. In this way, key ideas on the development of concepts, ideas and themes are introduced from the outset.

All members of staff have high expectations of their students and are experienced at making support available at appropriate times for students. At all key stages, the approach is to give every student a fulfilling learning experience.

GCSE Photography is strongly committed to offering an innovative approach to creative processes through projects that involve both traditional and experimental exploration of materials and concepts. We believe that there is a strong and robust future in the creative industries and so equipping our students with these tools at this stage can only be a positive step for them. Students will develop key skills in visual communication, problem solving, evaluation and critical understanding of contextual sources as well as an ability to develop and present ideas. Students will learn how artists use photography to convey ideas and will respond to the work of a range of photographers using a variety of methods. They will use up to date digital technology to express their own ideas which will build a strong foundation for further study at A Level. Photography is an excellent option that provide a balance with core subjects.

Photography is assessed through a combination of 60% coursework (two projects) and 40% exam (externally set project).

In GCSE Photography, students will be encouraged to:

  • Understand the purpose of visual communication.
  • Explore ideas & concepts behind the work of both contemporary and non-contemporary photographers.
  • Experiment with digital photography and editing techniques.
  • Visit galleries and exhibitions, enabling students to learn from the work of others and making connections with their own work and past/contemporary practices.
  • To record the creative process in sketchbooks, and present final outcomes in physical and digital final pieces.

Year 9 curriculum map | Year 10 curriculum map | Year 11 curriculum map

http://snsphotographydept.weebly.com/ - Check out the department website.