Photography

Applications Open: 13th November, 2025

Applications Close: 31st January, 2026

Entry Requirements: These are unique to each subject (located on the subject information page).

How to Apply: Please apply via KentChoices

You should only choose one subject per options block with a maximum of three subjects overall.

Art and Design

The specification encourages candidates to:

• Engage critically with issues and current affairs as well as develop exciting work based on their own creative insight.

• Work with assessment criteria to guide and feed into the development of their projects.

• Use synthesis and develop skills which need to be explored in several creative ways.

• Think and work independently; research information and strategies to help complete aspects of their work.

• Time-manage workload by working in and out of the Art Department and using feedback to develop ideas independently.

Photography

The specification encourages candidates to:

• Engage critically with issues and current affairs as well as develop exciting work based on their own creative insight.

• Work with assessment criteria to guide and feed into the development of their projects.

• Use synthesis and develop skills which need to be explored in several creative ways.

• Think and work independently; research information and strategies to help complete aspects of their work.

• Time-manage workload by working in and out of the Art Department and using feedback to develop ideas independently.

Art and Design

Students will learn about:

• Selecting specific areas of Art to show they have a passion for a range of specialisms EG. photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, 3D, graphics, illustration for narrative text and/ or textiles.

• Combining areas of interest, techniques, and processes to experiment with a wider range of skills, producing a portfolio showing their creative enthusiasm.

• Analysing artists’ work and understanding how to respond to it in studies and writing.

• Investigating a topic in depth, throughout their portfolio, so concepts are fully understood then producing outcomes focusing on specialisms.

Photography

• Selecting specific areas of Photography to show they have a passion for a range of specialisms EG. Landscape/ location/ street, Fine Art, portraiture, studio or even documentary photography.

• Using other forms of image making and can explore stop-motion, print, moving image as well as digital editing and using light.

• Combining areas of interest, techniques, and processes to experiment with a wider range of skills, producing a portfolio showing their creative enthusiasm.

• Analysing artists’ work and understanding how to respond to it in studies and writing.

• Investigating a topic in depth, throughout their portfolio, so concepts are fully understood, then producing outcomes focusing on specialisms.

Art and Design

Coursework: 60% of the overall grade- over two years they produce two or more sketchbooks/ explorations meeting all the AO's.

Students should sit at least one mock (3 days) to finalise pieces which contribute to the coursework grade and assessment objective AO4

They write an essay investigation linked to their sketchbook projects (1500-3000 words maximum). This essay is part of their coursework and called a personal study (18 marks).

Students sit a formal exam in the art block (3 days) worth 40% of the final grade.

Units (include percentage/weight of subject)

Component 1: Coursework- 60% of the grade including the personal study essay.

Component 2: Exam- 40% of the grade including the sketchbook and final development pieces

Photography

Component 1: 60%

Component 2: 40%

Art and Design

The minimum requirements are a 4/Pass in a level 2 Art and Design qualification. An additional level 4 in English will also be useful. Having access to their own camera to gather primary evidence is crucial at A Level. Great photos add to assessment grades and quality outcomes. Students who are able work independently and who have a strong work ethic make the best candidates.

Photography

The minimum requirements are a 4/Pass in a level 2 Art and Design qualification. An additional level 4 in English will also be useful. Purchasing a DSLR camera and making sure there is access (even remote) to Photoshop are crucial at A-Level. Access to school cameras is limited. Students who are able work independently and who have a strong work ethic make the best candidates.

Art and Design

Art complements many subjects and opens many career paths. Students often link their future career interests (even those not in Art) to their investigations. Thinking ahead to university and career choices, it is worth bearing in mind that Art is a broad subject, with many relatable avenues. Specific Art careers could be in architecture, film and theatre, curation, design, illustration, and visual communication, as well as developing pathways into advertising and marketing. Art and Design encourages skills in exploring concepts deeply, understanding meaning and concentrating on specialisms for longer periods to convey messages. Students are expected to develop time management and problem-solving skills to build the ability to think creatively about situations, which is an invaluable skill in many workplaces. If students are working towards a future degree in the Arts Fashion, illustration, visual communication, Fine Art, Curation and Conservation are a few examples.

Photography

Photography complements many subjects and opens many career paths. Students often link their future career interests (even those not in Art) to their investigations. Thinking ahead to university and career choices, it is worth bearing in mind that art courses are broad subjects, with many relatable avenues. Specific photography careers could be in photojournalism, film and media related tracks, curation, design, illustration, and visual communication as well as developing pathways into advertising and marketing. Photography encourages skills in exploring concepts deeply, understanding meaning and concentrating on specialisms for longer periods to convey messages. Students are expected to develop time management and problem-solving skills to build the ability to think creatively about situations, which is an invaluable skill in many workplaces. If students are working towards a future degree in the Arts: Photography (inc. fashion photography etc…)