Art and Design (Fine Art)

Course summary

Students study the AQA A Level Art and Design (Fine Art) course with an emphasis on drawing and painting activity. This course consists of two components namely the personal investigation and the externally set assignment. These units are weighted at 60% and 40% respectively. Both units involve extended projects of developing folio and sketchbook work. This evidence is then used to cover the four assessment objectives in both components comprising of: artists' research and critical understanding, refining and developing work using a range of media and processes, recording observations through drawing and other techniques, and producing a personal response in the form of a completed high-quality outcome supported by a range of developmental work. The assessment process is holistic and students are also expected to show a strong command of visual language and the ability to reflect critically on their work as it develops. Students must also provide 1000 words or more of written work to support and explain their developing work about art research and contextual understanding of the work of other artists. In Component 1 the student identifies the direction and content of study including the artists to be researched and the format and nature of the artwork produced. In component 2, students receive an externally set assignment paper in February from which they select one of several options set by the examination board. Work on that project culminates in 15 hours of controlled conditions to finalize a personal response independently of staff (exam conditions).