Art

Course summary

While it is an advantage to have studied Art at GCSE level, the A level course requires a questioning mind, and a student who is not afraid to experiment and ‘try things out’. Enthusiasm for the subject is paramount as well as an interest in and enjoyment of Art and Design. The intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers will be developed during the course as well as aesthetic understanding and critical judgement. Students will be given opportunities to visit galleries to increase their knowledge and first-hand experience of Art from other cultures and societies past and present. They will be encouraged to visit local galleries collections of Art independently throughout the course. There is an element of producing work from studying the human form, where a life-model poses for students during both years. Students achieve and benefit greatly from these life drawing lessons. COURSE OUTLINE Skills Based Portfolio – Coursework Students are required to produce a portfolio of work from given starting points, topics or themes. There is a strong emphasis on working with a variety of media but with a student’s own theme. For example, everyone may be producing etchings but all looking at completely different subject matter to make their work original and unique. The focus is on showing that ideas have been explored, researched and skills and techniques have been acquired during the course. Students will benefit from learning a variety of new techniques such as SLR photography, printmaking, painting and drawing, sculpture and digital art. Coursework project Students will be given the opportunity to start their major coursework project after Easter which will go towards their overall A Level. In May students will have a practice exam to work on developing their ideas and to experience working under controlled conditions. They will be awarded with an internally assessed grade at the end of the first year. Year 2—Personal Investigation Students continue to develop their major project (practical piece of visual work) that has a personal significance to them. This is an opportunity to show what you have learnt to do well. The investigation includes a related personal study that must be between 1000 – 3000 words. Controlled Assignment Students are given an early release question paper on 1st February from which they select one starting point. They are given 12 - 14 weeks to prepare and plan their ideas. Students are given 15 hours (3 exam days) exam time to realise their ideas into a final outcome or piece of work. Students often progress onto Foundation Art courses prior to degree courses in a wide range of Art-related subjects. Students have applied to a wide range of courses in recent years.