Art & Design

Course Specification

Subject Specific Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in Art; Grade 5 in English Language

Costs Associated with this Course

Students will need to buy sketchbooks during the course (£5.00 each). General art materials for home would be useful but not essential (estimated cost £15).
For the Photography course a camera would be useful - though not essential as the department is able to lend out cameras if required.

Is this the right course for me?

Work produced on the Art and Design course will demonstrate the use of creative skills to develop individual thoughts, feelings, observations and ideas. Students will be extending their own and others’ ways of seeing the world. Students will learn traditional skills but they will also combine this with the use of alternative media.

They will develop:

Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers
Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical, and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
An understanding of the inter-relationships between Art, Photography, Craft and Design and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
Knowledge and understanding of Art, Photography, Craft and Design in contemporary society and in other times and cultures

Qualification structure/details of assessment

During Year 12 students will develop a portfolio of work. The emphasis of this year will be on the development of understanding and skills using an appropriate range of materials, processes and techniques. Students should also present at least one extended collection of work or project, based on an idea, concept, theme or issue. This should demonstrate the student’s ability to sustain work from an initial starting point to a realisation.

Towards the end of Year 12 students begin Component 1—here you will develop work for a personal investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme supported by written material. This will count for 60% of your total A-level marks. Component 2 starts in Term two of Year 13 and is an externally set assignment by AQA for which you will be expected to undertake initial research, investigation, experimentation and refinement working toward a 15-hour period of supervised time in which you will work under exam conditions. The externally set assignment counts for 40% of your total A-level marks.

How will this course support my future plans?

There are a number of highly successful careers which an A Level in Art and Design course can move you towards. This subject is suitable for anyone wanting to pursue creativity, in any career form. For example this subject opens opportunities for careers such as Illustrator, Ceramicist, Fashion Designer, Magazine Editor, Calligrapher, Graphic Designer, Architect, Film maker, Interior Designer, Jewellery maker, Painter, Games Designer, Photographer, Tattoo Artist and Web Designer. The possible jobs which a person could pursue from this subject are limitless and if chosen you would be working within an industry which contributes 109 billion pounds a year to the UK economy.

Student thoughts:

"Art allows me to express myself and I have been able to explore topics that I find interesting and enjoy.’’

"Art relaxes me and it gives me more freedom – you can take it where you want to.’’

"Art allows me to work in a range of materials; I enjoy having the freedom to work in 3D as well as 2D.’’