GCSE Art and Design (Photography)

How is the course externally examined?

Component 1 – Portfolio (internally set coursework) = 60%

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (set by exam board) = 40%

All work is assessed against 4 Assessment Objectives (AO): AO1 – Develop ideas, A02 – Refine ideas, A03 – Record A04 – Personal response.

Component 1 - Portfolio (60% of final grade marked out of 96)

• Skills based project – given students will not have previously studied Photography, to ascertain skills/understanding, students will be required to complete a skills based project. The project will expose students to various photographic techniques, genres and camera settings, which will prepare them for their next project.
• Mixed media – this project encourages students to call upon their KS3 knowledge and explore a range of artistic techniques and processes to develop their photography work. They will explore painting, drawing, collage and digital editing. Students will explore the theme through creating research pages, edits, developments and personal responses.
• Light and Dark – using contemporary photographers and creative photographic techniques as inspiration, students will be encouraged to explore a range of camera settings to capture various exciting light sources such as light trails and silhouettes. Students will explore the theme through creating research pages, edits, developments and personal responses.

Component 2 - Externally set assignment (40% of final grade marked out of 96)

• Students will receive the AQA exam paper from which they will select a starting point. They will develop a body of work which will culminate in a 10 hour exam. All preparation work must be handed in at the start of the exam and cannot be added to.

Students will receive their final grade at the end of the 2 year course in August.

The course is graded with GCSE grades 1 to 9.

How is the course internally assessed?

GCSE Art and Photography will be assessed each term using Assessment Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. All of the work for component 1 that has been completed up until the time of assessment, will be collected in and moderated by all 3 Art teachers. Component 1 is worth 60% for the final grade.

Students will submit all their work for Component 1 and 2 after the externally set assignment is completed for a final moderation by all 3 Art teachers. Both component 1 (60% of grade) and component 2 (40% of final grade) will be assessed and raw marks will be communicated with students.

The AQA exam board will then select a sample for external moderation.

Students will receive their final grade at the end of the 2-year course in August.

The course is graded with GCSE grades 1 to 9.