Photography

Applications Open - 10th November 2025

Applications Close - 31st January 2026

Entry Requirements - For entry into year 12 to begin A Level and/or vocational courses, students must meet the minimum requirements in English and Mathematics (grade 4), however most courses require significantly higher grades in certain other GCSE subjects to access them.

How to Apply -

• Internal students – apply via Applicaa (school have emailed all students a link)
• External Students – apply using Applicaa from the Trinity School website under Sixth Form - Apply here

Students are required to study a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 subjects.

This course introduces students to a range of photographic media, techniques and processes. Students will explore with lens and light based media, including digital imaging and light sensitive materials. They will select and manipulate images using Adobe Photoshop and explore how to put images into context. Students will initiate their own starting points and will develop their own personal relationship between their own and others' work. They will explore with a variety of images, artefact and objects and relate their work to the work from the past and recent times and will explore with European and non-European examples.

Skills Acquired

• The camera and its functions, including depth of field, shutter speed, focal points and viewpoints
• The effects and creative potential of combining and manipulating different two-dimensional and three dimensional materials and media
• The use of digital and/or non-digital applications
• Experience of working with a broad range of media
• An understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
• Knowledge and understanding of art, craft, design and media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures

Students Suited To The Course
Students will need to be self-motivated, resilient and determined. They will need to have a passion for taking photographs and have a knowledge and understanding of Photoshop.

What Other Subjects It Combines Well With
Photography combines well with a broad range of subjects including English and Humanities

Co-curricular
Visits to museums, galleries and exhibitions will be a vital part of the course.

Title: Personal Portfolio (60% of the final qualification)
Students will select a topic of interest for an in-depth study and negotiate the scope of the project with their teacher. They will identify and draft an objective for their project and provide a rationale for their choice. This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s). This incorporates three major elements: supporting studies, practical work and a personal study. Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on themes and ideas developed from personal starting points and will include a personal study of a minimum of 1000 words.

Title: Externally Set Assignment (40% of the final qualification)
This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme. This incorporates two major elements: preparatory studies and the 15 hour period of sustained focus. Preparatory studies will comprise a portfolio of practical and written development work based on the externally set assignment. During the 15 hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce outcome(s) extending from their preparatory studies in response to the externally set assignment.

Unit Content
Year 12: Experimental imagery, studio, photography, photo-journalism
Year 13: Documentary photography, externally set assignment

The A Level is run as a two year course. Students will complete two coursework projects.

Title: Personal Portfolio
Students will submit a portfolio of work that will be assessed on against the following criteria:

• Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations (25%)
• Explore and select appropriate resources (25%)
• Record ideas, observations and insights (25%)
• Present a personal and meaningful response (25%)

Title: Externally Set Assignment (Exam)
Students will have an exam in the summer of Year 13; this will be based on a theme set by the exam board. Students will create a body of work in relation to the theme and will have a period of fifteen hours (spread across three days) in exam conditions to complete a final piece and evaluation.

GCSE grade 6 in Photography or Art. If Photography has not been studied at GCSE a portfolio should be produced as evidence of interest and aptitude in the subject area.

Studying A Level in Photography can lead to careers within photography as well as anything visual e.g. graphic designer, digital marketer, visual merchandiser, stylist, web designer and film editor. Students could progress on to a foundation or degree course in areas such as Architecture, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Photography or Fashion.