Why study this subject?

Course overview

The A-level Photography course at The Purbeck School centres around communicating creative ideas and personal observations. You will learn technical skills and the knowledge and understanding needed to enable you to construct images with visual meaning and the power to communicate your ideas about the world. You will learn about the history of photography and the ways in which this art form has contributed to our visual culture. On this course you will learn how to develop and explore your ideas through observations of the world around you, experiment with a range of techniques and processes and respond to the work of others.  This very popular course will deepen your appreciation of the visual world and help you to achieve the technical skills to respond to it in a creative way.

Year 12

The first year of the course is designed to extend your creative and technical skills along with your ability to generate ideas. You will investigate different approaches to manipulating photographic materials, including art-based, light-based and lens-based processes specifically using darkroom techniques and industry-standard Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Research into the work of professional practitioners underpins each workshop project and will enable you to develop your understanding of contemporary and historical approaches as well as inspire you and inform your own studies.

Year 13

Towards the end of Year 12 and leading into year 13, you will begin the Personal Investigation Project. This unit is an opportunity for you to carry out your own research into an area of photography that is of interest to you, leading to a practical personal response. This unit also involves the production of a written submission of between 1000 and 3000 words that clarifies the theme of the investigation, demonstrates your critical and contextual understanding of your chosen topic and records the conclusions to your enquiry. The course ends with Component 2: Externally Set Assignment, a 15-hour practical exam (conducted over 3 school days) that you will prepare for over a number of weeks.

Your final grade is based on your coursework (usually based upon the portfolio produced in year 2), which is worth 60%, and the externally set assignment (15-hour exam), which is worth 40% of the overall grade.

Where the course leads

The specialist skills and ways of thinking covered in this programme will prepare you with the skills required to develop careers within photography and related industries, as well as provide a pathway into Higher Education to further your studies.

The government estimates that creative industries generate £126bn in gross value added to the economy and employ 2.4 million people in 2022 (House of Lords Library). Many of the students who study A-level Photography at The Purbeck School go on to study the subject at degree level. There are opportunities within higher education to specialise in such disciplines as documentary, food, commercial photography and photojournalism. Many of our former students have worked in photography upon graduation in areas that include freelance photography, marketing and commercial photography.

Should you choose to take a different route for Post-18, there are opportunities to gain apprenticeships with local artists, studios or galleries. You can continue to develop your skills after leaving school and your ability to reflect, be critical, share your opinions and generate ideas will help you in any industry of your choice.

Entry requirements

To study A-Level Photography, you must have achieved GCSE Photography grade 5 and/or a strong portfolio of work demonstrating a commitment and interest in photography. A basic understanding of photography and some previous experience/practice is desirable. Students must seek further advice from the specialist staff before enroling and be interviewed prior to being accepted on the course.

For further advice, contact: Mrs L. Field (Head of Art and Photography)