Art and Design (Fine Art)

Course summary

The first phase of this course is focused on building the required skills for the 2 assessed units at the end of Year 13. A foundation style programme developing essential artistic skills begins in September of Year 12 and runs until mid-November. In this phase students will refine drawing/painting and 3D skills as well as learning new techniques. The coursework element and first component of the A Level begins in mid-November, which is worth 60% of the overall marks. This is called the Personal Investigation which includes a practical portfolio of work showing the learner's response to a starting point as well as a written, related study which supports the practical work. The second component is the externally set task which is worth 40% of the total marks. This is a range of themes set by the exam board and issued on 1st February. Learners are invited to respond to one starting point from the paper and complete a range of preparatory work as well as a 15 hour timed piece.