Our mission is to ignite creativity, uncover potential and develop transferable skills through Photography, moulding creative, happy and successful students at CHS South and beyond. Photography enables students to observe, question, interpret and communicate the world around them through visual language. Through technical mastery, creative experimentation and critical reflection, students develop confidence, independence and resilience whilst exploring their own ideas and experiences. Students gain cultural knowledge through exposure to diverse photographers, perspectives and contemporary issues, preparing them for further education, employment and participation within the creative industries.

Students will:

•    Develop the confidence to realise creative ideas and imaginative responses. 
•    Gain a wide range of photographic experiences and discover their own visual voice
•    Develop technical and creative skills through sustained practical engagement
•    Explore diverse photographers and perspectives from different cultures and communities
•    Build independence, resilience and reflective practice. 
•    Develop skills that support further education, employment and careers within the creative industries.

The Key Stage 3 Photography curriculum is designed to build strong technical foundations whilst developing creative confidence and visual literacy. Students are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and develop resilience through practical exploration of photography and digital media. The curriculum introduces students to photography as a powerful form of visual communication, helping them understand how images can communicate ideas, stories and viewpoints. 

Core Principles

• A structured progression from technical foundations, including camera operation, Photoshop and the Exposure Triangle, towards increasingly independent and creative photographic outcomes. 
• A curriculum that develops visual literacy, enabling students to analyse, interpret and communicate meaning through photographic imagery. 
• Integration of contextual studies through the investigation of photographers, contemporary culture, technology and visual storytelling. 
• Opportunities for experimentation and creative problem-solving through digital editing, composition, manipulation and personal responses.

Curriculum Journey
Year 9: Students are introduced to photography through the study of the Exposure Triangle, Formal Elements, Scale and Science Fiction. They develop confidence using DSLR cameras, Photoshop and photographic equipment whilst learning how photographers communicate ideas through composition, editing and visual narrative. Students experiment with scale, macro photography, image manipulation and portraiture before producing increasingly independent personal responses

The Key Stage 4 Photography curriculum is designed to prepare students for GCSE success whilst nurturing independent, creative and critically engaged photographers. Building on KS3 foundations, students increasingly use photography as a tool for communication, investigation and self-expression. Through sustained projects, contextual research and technical experimentation, students develop the confidence to create sophisticated personal outcomes informed by meaning, purpose and audience. 

Core Principles

• A focus on the AQA Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO4), embedding investigation, experimentation, recording and personal response throughout the curriculum. 
• Development of visual literacy and critical understanding through the investigation of photographers, imagery, symbolism and visual communication. 
• Increasing independence, enabling students to take ownership of research, photoshoots, experimentation and outcomes. 
• Emphasis on sustained practice, refinement, reflection and the development of personal visual language. 

Curriculum Journey
Year 10: Component 1 begins with Abstract Photography, introducing students to experimentation with Formal Elements, distortion, composition and visual language. Students then develop visual literacy through Reading an Image, learning how photographers communicate meaning through imagery. The curriculum continues through Portraiture and Lighting, where students investigate identity, storytelling and representation before producing increasingly independent personal responses informed by research and experimentation. 
Year 11: Component 1 (September–December): Students undertake a sustained personal investigation based on the theme Concealment. Through independent research, experimentation, annotation and refinement, students deepen their understanding of symbolism, identity, manipulation and visual narrative whilst completing their coursework portfolio. 
Year 11: Component 2 (January–May): Students respond independently to the AQA Externally Set Assignment (ESA). They investigate a chosen theme, conduct contextual research, experiment with ideas and produce a personal and meaningful response. The course culminates in the final practical examination where students demonstrate the creative, technical and analytical skills developed throughout KS4.

Students can extend their photography experience through:

• After-school photography sessions.

• Exhibitions and competitions.

• Collaborative projects with other creative subjects.

• Workshops exploring contemporary photographic techniques.

• Links with live briefs for real companies

A Level Photography / Art & Design:

• Build on your GCSE skills with more focused study in photography techniques, creative processes, and visual storytelling, preparing you for higher education or creative careers.

Creative Degrees:

Pursue undergraduate courses specialising in:

• Photography: Explore advanced photographic techniques, digital editing, and conceptual projects.

• Media & Film: Learn production, editing, and storytelling across various visual media.

• Visual Arts & Design: Broaden your artistic skills through interdisciplinary study including graphic design, illustration, and multimedia.

University Courses in Related Fields:

Consider degrees in:

• Journalism: Combine photography with writing and reporting skills for careers in media.

• Marketing & Digital Media: Focus on visual communication, branding, and content creation for businesses.

• Cultural Studies: Study the role of photography and visual culture in society, media, and heritage sectors.

Studying Photography at CHS South empowers students to capture, question, and express the world around them, developing skills and creativity that last a lifetime.