About the Course:

 

This subject is offered as an A Level course in Fine Art. The course is essentially concerned with the traditional media of painting and drawing and printed graphic work. However, in keeping with developments in contemporary art practice, our students are encouraged to explore a range of media and experimental approaches to facilitate an engagement with more ‘cutting-edge’ methods of visual expression. This is likely to involve a study and exploration of more innovative conceptual approaches to visual communication common to the expanded field of art practice today.

 

The overall aim of the course is therefore to encourage an adventurous and enquiring approach to art and design which is informed and developed through an in-depth study of both historical and contemporary art practice. In turn this should enable students to embrace and explore a range of ideas in their work of both a personal and an objective/analytical nature and, in so doing, harness a meaningful appreciation of visual culture.

 

Assessment:

AS

Both the AS and A2 courses are comprised of two units of work, one Coursework Unit and one Externally-set Assignment. All Units require students to keep a work journal which can be defined as a combination of a Sketch-Pad and a Diary. This must comprise drawings/paintings, photographs, written notes documenting ideas and other visual research materials. The progression of student work at all stages will be nurtured and stimulated by an organised extra- curricular enrichment programme to include both gallery and practical workshop visits.

 

AS Unit 1 – Coursework: Still-life. Students develop their own interpretation of this theme which evolves from an analytical to a more
personal expressive response. The culmination of the unit will be the undertaking of an 8 hour examination

AS Unit 2 – Externally-set Assignment. Students will be required to select a single question from a set paper. They will have an extended period between February and April during Year 12 to prepare, research and develop a personal response culminating in an 8 hour examination

 

A2

A2 Unit 3 – Coursework: Practical Work and Personal Study. This unit of work demands the combined production a Contextual Study (which involves a detailed historical/contemporary art study) and Practical Work based on themes negotiated between the students and staff.

A2 Unit 4 - Externally-set Assignment. Students will be required to select a single question from a set paper. They will have an extended period between February and April during Year 13 to prepare, research and develop a personal response culminating in a 12 hour examination.

 

Is there anything else I need to know?

Art can mix very will with subjects such as Textiles and Product Design but also humanities subjects such as History and Theology which also deal with moral and social issues and encourage students to explore personal attitudes.

 

Progression Routes:

The vast majority of our A2 students progress on to Art Foundation courses at colleges of further education. This course provides access to Degree Level courses in all aspects of Art and Design encompassing Graphics, Three –Dimensional Design, Textiles and Photography as well as Fine Art. Some of our other students have gone on to take courses in Computer Game Design or on to Art and Design Teacher Training courses.

 

Student quote:

 

“I opted for A Level Art because I achieved a good GCSE grade and wanted to carry on with the subject. I also think that I am good at it. I want to progress on to a career in website design and am currently taking a “Skills Train” home learning course. Taking A Level Art and ICT enabled me to gain access to the course especially because Art is creative”.