Art and Design
Windsor High School and Sixth Form - Dudley
01215501452
Richmond Street, Halesowen, B63 4BB
Course summary

A Level Art and Design provides you with exciting opportunities to develop your personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures through practical artwork and critical and contextual studies. Initially, you will be exposed to introductory workshops exploring techniques and media such as drawing, printmaking, painting, mixed media, textiles, sculpture, photography and digital work, coupled with in-depth historical and contextual analysis. You are encouraged to pursue independent lines of investigation linked to your workshops and will be expected to visit art galleries and museums to inform the contextual element of the course. The course is suited to those who have a passion for art and design, who are committed, creative and self-motivated. You will also need to have a willingness to develop work independently, exploring a range of ideas, materials and techniques. You will need to be organised with resources and materials, supplying your own specialist equipment to complement the facilities in the sixth form studio. Component 1: Personal Investigation Following on from the skills based workshops, you begin an independently devised Personal Investigation which continues into Year 13. For this, you are required to conduct a practical investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study, covering all the assessment objectives, that demonstrates your ability to construct and develop a sustained investigation from an initial starting point to a final realisation. Component 2: Externally set assignment The second component is the Externally set assignment, following receipt of the paper in February of Year 13 you will consider and select a starting point. You will produce a practical investigation into your chosen theme, ensuring you fulfil all of the assessment objectives. Preparatory work should be presented in any suitable format, such as mounted sheets, sketchbooks, workbooks, journals, models and maquettes. Following the preparatory period, you must complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time, where you will produce a finished outcome or a series of related outcomes, informed by your preparatory work.

Entry requirements

• Five subjects at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths. • Grade 4 GCSE Art and Design (Grade 5 Recommended). A portfolio of work to demonstrate skills and understanding would also be considered.

How you'll be assessed

Component 1: Personal Investigation No time limit - 96 marks, 60% of A Level. Component 2: Externally set assignment Preparatory period and 15 hours supervised time 96 marks, 40% of A Level. For both components assessments will measure how you have achieved the following assessment objectives: • AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding. • AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops. • AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress. • AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionWest Midlands
Local AuthorityDudley
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressRichmond Street, Halesowen, B63 4BB