The two-year A Level Photography course introduces students to a variety of experiences that explore a range of photographic media, techniques and processes. They will be made aware of both traditional and new technologies. Students will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples, which is integral to the investigating and making processes. Students’ responses to these examples will be explored through practical and critical activities that demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions. Students may use traditional methods and/or digital techniques to produce images. Students should produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example, portraiture, landscape photography, still life photography, documentary photography, photojournalism, fashion photography, experimental imagery, multimedia, photographic installation and moving image (video, film, animation). Students are required to participate actively in their course of study, recognising and developing their own strengths in the subject and identifying and sustaining their own lines of enquiry.
An assessment day is held at Queenswood in the November prior to entry. Applicants are required to sit entrance examinations in the subjects that they plan to study at A-level. We do not stipulate particular GCSE requirements, although Queenswood Sixth Formers will typically have achieved at least six Grade 6 results at GCSE, with Grades 7–9 in the subjects to be studied at A-level.
There is synoptic assessment in both components of the A-level that provide stretch and challenge opportunities for students as follows: Component 1: Personal investigation (60%) Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words which supports the practical work. Component 2: Externally set assignment (40%) Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all A-level Art and Design specifications and all exam boards. The assessments will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives: • AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding. • AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops. • AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress. • AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Shepherd's Way, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, AL9 6NS |
The two-year A Level Photography course introduces students to a variety of experiences that explore a range of photographic media, techniques and processes. They will be made aware of both traditional and new technologies. Students will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples, which is integral to the investigating and making processes. Students’ responses to these examples will be explored through practical and critical activities that demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions. Students may use traditional methods and/or digital techniques to produce images. Students should produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example, portraiture, landscape photography, still life photography, documentary photography, photojournalism, fashion photography, experimental imagery, multimedia, photographic installation and moving image (video, film, animation). Students are required to participate actively in their course of study, recognising and developing their own strengths in the subject and identifying and sustaining their own lines of enquiry.
An assessment day is held at Queenswood in the November prior to entry. Applicants are required to sit entrance examinations in the subjects that they plan to study at A-level. We do not stipulate particular GCSE requirements, although Queenswood Sixth Formers will typically have achieved at least six Grade 6 results at GCSE, with Grades 7–9 in the subjects to be studied at A-level.
There is synoptic assessment in both components of the A-level that provide stretch and challenge opportunities for students as follows: Component 1: Personal investigation (60%) Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words which supports the practical work. Component 2: Externally set assignment (40%) Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all A-level Art and Design specifications and all exam boards. The assessments will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives: • AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding. • AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops. • AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress. • AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.