Art and Design

Course summary

A-Level Art requires engagement with aesthetic and intellectual concepts through the use of traditional and/or digital media, materials, tools, techniques and processes for the purpose of self-expression, free of external constraints. You will be developing your skills working on self-directed projects that will challenge you and stretch your technical, imaginative and intellectual abilities to the full. You will be expected to be pro-active in seeking out opportunities to draw, paint and photograph subject matter in and out of the art studio, and to engage with visiting art galleries and museums to expand your knowledge. Writing about art is an integral part of the course and the ability to produce A-Level standard written work using specialist, art-specific vocabulary is important. It is an academically rigorous and demanding subject that requires students to spend at least 5 hours a week on independent work in addition to lesson time. In addition, students need to be imaginative and creative as the work demands idea-generation skills, analytical thinking, critical and contextual thinking, and research throughout the course.