Art and Design

Course summary

The A-level Art and Design qualification develops students’ understanding of the value of art and design as well as their skills and creativity. The breadth of the course encourages students to develop a range of skills, including observational drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and critical contextual study. In the first term of Year 12, they will produce a ‘practice coursework project’ before starting their main personal investigation. Throughout the course, students will be given opportunities to visit a range of art galleries and will learn about careers in the creative industries, sometimes working alongside professional artists and designers. Units Studied: Unit 1 Personal Investigation - Students will produce a major practical project based on a specific theme, scenario, or stimulus of their own choice. The investigation includes a related written personal study of approximately 1000-2000 words. Unit 2 Controlled Assignment - This is a 15-hour practical exam. Students will be given a variety of starting points and will have approximately 6 weeks to produce preparatory work for their final piece. They are assessed on this prep work and the outcome created under exam conditions.