Art Course Information
In Art we aim to foster creativity, visual
awareness, sensitivity and craftsmanship. We seek
to develop students’ visual and tactile skills,
and a knowledge and feeling for a broad spectrum
of European and world art.
The Art department creates stimulating and motivating environment for students to enjoy the subject. Tasks and projects are varied, covering painting, drawing, print-making, digital imaging, collage and graphic design.
The Art course is exciting and flexible. It progresses naturally from the philosophies and approaches adopted at GCSE. We encourage and expect students to pursue personal paths. Art is a subject that encourages individuals to be creative, reflective, communicative and appreciative of the world around them.
Unit starting points deal with students understanding of the artistic formal elements e.g. line, form, shape, texture, balance, rhythm composition etc and link these to still life or landscape ideas. Students will be encouraged to present their work in a lively and creative manner and develop a final painting or sculpture piece.
It is recommended that students taking the Art & Design A Level should have studied Art at G.C.S.E. and achieved a Grade D or an equivalent such as IB.
Students must have a genuine interest in and commitment to the subject. Students need to spend considerable time outside formal lessons researching, developing ideas and producing studies. Homework is set weekly. Art may be combined with both Arts and Science subjects.
AQA
The AS exam is a demanding course and students must be prepared to work hard in order to cover the two units in their first year and a further two units of work in the second year.
Unit 1: Coursework Portfolio
No time limit.
50% of AS, 25% of A Level
80 Marks.
Portfolio of work is set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
Initially students will participate in a number of workshops which are designed to introduce a variety of techniques, media and skills. This is followed by a sustained study based on, for example, Natural Forms.
Unit 2: AS Externally Set Assignment
50% of AS, 25% of A Level
Supervised time 5 Hours
80 marks
Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
Unit 3: Personal Investigation.
25% of A Level.
No time limit.
80 Marks.
Personal investigation supported by written element of 1000-3000 words, set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
The emphasis of this unit is on self-directed study based on a
personal issue, interest or concern.
Unit 4: Externally Set Assignment.
25% of A Level
Supervised time 15 hours
80 marks
Both courses at AS and A2 Higher Education are the basic qualification for those hoping to follow degree courses in either Fine or Applied Arts: painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design including advertising, scientific and technical illustration, information graphics and print technology, three- dimensional design including industrial design, furniture design, ceramics, interior design, theatre design, fashion and textiles, film, photography and television.
Art is also valuable for a number of indirectly related careers such as Architecture, Museum Work, Arts Administration, Exhibition Research and Teaching as well as preparing students for a vocational practical course after A Levels.
The Art department creates stimulating and motivating environment for students to enjoy the subject. Tasks and projects are varied, covering painting, drawing, print-making, digital imaging, collage and graphic design.
The Art course is exciting and flexible. It progresses naturally from the philosophies and approaches adopted at GCSE. We encourage and expect students to pursue personal paths. Art is a subject that encourages individuals to be creative, reflective, communicative and appreciative of the world around them.
Unit starting points deal with students understanding of the artistic formal elements e.g. line, form, shape, texture, balance, rhythm composition etc and link these to still life or landscape ideas. Students will be encouraged to present their work in a lively and creative manner and develop a final painting or sculpture piece.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
It is recommended that students taking the Art & Design A Level should have studied Art at G.C.S.E. and achieved a Grade D or an equivalent such as IB.
Students must have a genuine interest in and commitment to the subject. Students need to spend considerable time outside formal lessons researching, developing ideas and producing studies. Homework is set weekly. Art may be combined with both Arts and Science subjects.
EXAMINATION BOARD
AQA
MODULES
The AS exam is a demanding course and students must be prepared to work hard in order to cover the two units in their first year and a further two units of work in the second year.
AS Examination
Unit 1: Coursework Portfolio
No time limit.
50% of AS, 25% of A Level
80 Marks.
Portfolio of work is set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
Initially students will participate in a number of workshops which are designed to introduce a variety of techniques, media and skills. This is followed by a sustained study based on, for example, Natural Forms.
Unit 2: AS Externally Set Assignment
50% of AS, 25% of A Level
Supervised time 5 Hours
80 marks
Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
A2 Examination
Unit 3: Personal Investigation.
25% of A Level.
No time limit.
80 Marks.
Personal investigation supported by written element of 1000-3000 words, set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.
The emphasis of this unit is on self-directed study based on a
personal issue, interest or concern.
Unit 4: Externally Set Assignment.
25% of A Level
Supervised time 15 hours
80 marks
WHERE DOES IT LEAD?
Both courses at AS and A2 Higher Education are the basic qualification for those hoping to follow degree courses in either Fine or Applied Arts: painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design including advertising, scientific and technical illustration, information graphics and print technology, three- dimensional design including industrial design, furniture design, ceramics, interior design, theatre design, fashion and textiles, film, photography and television.
Art is also valuable for a number of indirectly related careers such as Architecture, Museum Work, Arts Administration, Exhibition Research and Teaching as well as preparing students for a vocational practical course after A Levels.
