This is a linear A level, a two year course with all examinations and assessment at the end of the second year; there are no AS examinations. We aim to provide and portray a lively, challenging and happy environment in which students can learn and explore, where students are encouraged to break new boundaries in terms of their own personal development. The department encourages diversity and celebrates other cultures. Most of the teaching is initially group based but emphasis is placed on weekly one-to-one discussion with staff, allowing us to give pertinent direction and guidance in the use of media and resources. Students will have educational visits to various locations, enabling exploration of different ideas and generating a variety of images from a given starting point. We try to provide a varied range of locations which will allow the trying and testing of techniques outside the college environment. Practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of relevant techniques and processes will be common strands of the course. Discussion of ideas, exploring possibilities and evaluating progress will be regular features of learning. Students will be asked to produce a body of work that not only means something to them but demonstrates full understanding of the processes and practices of photography and film to communicate ideas, thoughts and feelings. We will encourage students to find an independent and relevant style that allows them to express themselves. Photography is a great subject through which to develop independent learning and encourage creative flare. Students develop technical skills and understanding of how to manipulate images through computer so ware. Students often find the skills that they learn are transferable across other A level subjects. Understanding how to analyse and research relevant material are two of the key skills that not only transferable, but lifelong.