After a short introduction to the Photography course, our students begin by progressing through three Taster Projects (TPs). The TPs are led by the course teacher and are designed to introduce fundamental photographic skills, techniques and knowledge behind the subject, through a series of practical and creative projects. They also provide a good platform to develop understanding for students new to the course. Before Easter in Year 12, students will begin their first formally assessed component, Personal Investigation, designing and presenting their chosen theme for the Personal Investigation to their teacher and peers. Our students are expected to keep a thorough record of their research and their creative journey throughout the component, often in the form of a sketchbook, folder or portfolio. One additional difference between this component and that of the one previously studied at GCSE is that the Personal Investigation will include a more focused written element (usually in the form of an essay). Written content for this component should fall between 1,000 and 3,000 words and should look to support the practical work with invaluable insight into the processes undertaken and decisions made along the creative journey. For the Externally Set Assignment, students are asked to respond to one of many themes offered by the Examining Board and develop an in-depth and personal body of work from this starting point. The options of themes are released on 1st February, starting a Preparatory Period in which our students research, experiment, test and review both their ideas and practical work. At the end of this period of experimentation, students look to fully resolve a finished and final piece of work at the end of a 15-hour, Practical Exam