Art A Level               

WATCH THE VIDEO TO FIND OUT ABOUT ART

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO START THE COURSE

6+ in art 

YEAR 12 COURSE SPECIFICATION

Year 12 focuses on component 1, the personal investigation. It incorporates three major elements:

1. supporting studies

2. practical work,

3. a personal study.

Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on themes and ideas developed from personal starting points.

This will begin with gallery visits and skills based workshops. During this time we work with students to try and identify their strength/interests and suggest relevant artists for them to study and learn from. Students will develop skills in drawing, painting, photography, digital technology, film, printmaking and sculpture.

Students are encouraged to take risks with materials and processes – some students work in a very experimental way to create mixed-media installation pieces, or architectural designs and structures.

The personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in a minimum 1000 words of continuous prose, which may contain integrated images. The personal study comprises 12% of the total qualification.  This will begin in year 12 but be completed in year 13.

YEAR 13 COURSE SPECIFICATION

Year 13 will focus on completing the personal study started in year 12 and preparing for component 2, the externally set exam. This incorporates two major elements: preparatory studies and assessment via a 15–hour period of sustained focus.

Component 2 preparatory studies allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme. Students will again be required to address the four assessment objectives: Develop, Explore, Record and Present.

Preparatory studies will comprise a portfolio of practical and written development work based on the externally set assignment. This assignment will be released in February of year 13. During the 15–hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce final outcome(s) extending from their preparatory studies in response to the externally set assignment.

The externally set assignment is released on 1 February and contains a theme and suggested starting points.

Students have from 1 February until the commencement of the final 15–hour period of sustained focus to develop preparatory studies.

The 15–hour period of sustained focus is under examination conditions.

LEARNING AND SKILLS

Students are encouraged and supported to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s). This will require students to address each of the assessment objectives: Develop, Explore, Record and Present.

Students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with a wide range of materials and processes through a series of skills based workshops, as well as visit galleries and exhibitions. They will develop their confidence to work independently and collaboratively and prepare them for life after school, whether they go on to pursue art and design or take other avenues and pathways.

These are just some of the skills you will learn during the course.

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

The two year full A Level is made up of two components; the personal investigation and the externally set exam. These are both internally marked and externally moderated by Edexcel.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Students have the opportunity to go to university to study for a foundation course, then a degree in art and design which can lead to many careers in the arts world, including: advertising, illustration, fashion/textile design, theatre/film design, jewellery design, interior design, architecture, art restoration, makeup/cosmetic art, art therapy, graphic design, web design, app design and game design.