Photography

The focus of the SST Photography department is to build upon the experience students have had at their primary school during their Art lessons, we encourage students to take creative risks, experiment with mediums which they have not yet used, have confidence in their artistic ability, feel comfortable developing their work with new techniques and processes. 

With students at SST coming from a variety of backgrounds, it is essential that the Photography department acknowledges and bridges differences in students' cultural capital. This can be achieved by exposing them to the broader art world beyond the classroom- through visits to museums and galleries, participation in national cultural projects such as competitions and challenges, exploration of creative career pathways, and the development of oracy within art and design. 

Students will develop a wide variety of transferable skills through their Photography experience at SST including: 

• The ability to work collaboratively with others whilst having the confidence to share individual ideas and concepts. 
• Strong creative problem-solving skills which are applicable to a constantly developing wider world. 
• The ability to communicate ideas visually, orally, and in writing. 
• Strong visual literacy to help describe and annotate. 
• Well-developed observational, research and analytical skills. 
• Working towards briefs and meeting deadlines. 
• Developing resilience and openness to new ideas and concepts.  

Students start Photography by choosing this as an option in Year 9, and study Photography as a GCSE option. We follow a comprehensive Curriculum including: 

Year 9 

• The Visual Elements- The first project of Year 9 will build upon students' prior knowledge from their Art lessons, skills and learning to foster their own independence and confidence. Students will begin to have responsibilty for their own digital sketchbook and through a structured scheme of work, start to understand the fundamental language which underpins the study of Photography. 
• History of taking a Photography- Working with how to use a DSLR camera, gaining knowledge into the visual elements and taking photos of these to analyse. 
• Landscape Photography- Long exposure and portrait photography, looking at editing on Photoshop and different manual camera settings to captur images. 
• Looking into the basics of editing and manipulating photographs, using double exposure, multiple images, and using the perspectice tool. Artists include Pep Ventosa, Barbara Kruger, and Aliki Braine. 
• Manipulating Photographs using experimental techniques such as Photo weaving, paiting onto the photo paper, and creating collages- Artists include Maureen Brodbeck, Leisel Pfeffer and Edward Honaker. 
• Students will learn of a range of techniques to combine photographs and experiment. This includes using a needle to poke holes, sewing photographs together, using the scanner to manipulate the images and creating positive and negatives spaces. Artists include Amy Friend and Flore Gardner. 
• Students are evaluating the skills learnt throughout the year, using the help sheets to analyse their chosen photographers and will set up their own shoot and take photos using the cameras. 

Year 10 and 11

AQA GCSE Photography students must explore, through a range of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional processes and media, practical application of skills and relevant critical and contextual sources such as the work of contemporary artists, inspirational people and the different purposes, intentions and functions of art and photography, as appropriate to their own work. Students have two pieces of coursework to complete, Component 1 (60%) and Component 2 (40%). 

Year 12 and Year 13

Photography options will be available in Sixth Form at SST. To learn more, please visit our Sixth Form page. 

Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3

Students are provided with additional support and opportunity to experiment with new artistic techniques depending on the provision provided at their primary school. Students will be introduced to the basic elements of art and key skills which will underpin their journey through the art and design curriculum. 

Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4

Throughout Key Stage 3, students are encouraged to think about the next stage of their transition, with a Foundation Year in Year 9 allowing students to explore new artistic processes and art historial context in more depth. During Key Stage 3 and the Year 9 Foundation Year, students are educated on the varied careers in Art and Photography and creative avenues available to them. Students are given opportunties to expand their cultural capital with extra-curricular clubs, cultural visits and interal and external competitions. 

Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5

During the GCSE course, students are given a teacher led introduction to artistic processes and techniques and are taught to think critically and creatively. Students are encouraged to follow their own creative ideas and visions with constant support from other GCSE students and art departments within the trust. Students are given the opportunity to explore the position of Art and Photography in the wider world and outside of a classroom setting. 

Beyond Key Stage 5

Students are given opportunties to look at different routes to study art and design- both in its practical application and in its theory. Avenues to study art are explored as well as the numerous career links available. Students are also encouraged to understand the role art has in wellbeing and mental health even if not chosen as a direct route of study or work. 

 

 

Extra-Curricular opportunties after school for GCSE years to have extra coursework time.

• Trips and external visits to support in school learning and expand on ideas and concepts whilst developing cultural capital. 
• Opportunities to take part in trust wide competitions, festivals and workshops. 
• Internal competitions within the Art and Photography department. 
• Prefect opportunities and opportunities to support the department on open days. 
• Reading lists and recommended visits.