Entry Requirements: GCSE Art grade 6 or above, or a recent portfolio of artwork to demonstrate interest | Exam Board: AQA

Why Study Art? 

Studying Art at A level is increasingly important if you are considering any design-based career. Everything we eat, wear, drive, live in, work in, play with or use in any practical way will have been designed and marketed by someone who has learnt to present ideas in a visual way. A very high percentage of students now opt for some kind of design course. Current popular choices include Architecture, Fashion, Fine Art, Illustration, Textiles, Graphics, 3-D Design and Media. The ability to think and communicate visually is vital in all these fields. We enjoy regular contact with many UK colleges who visit the department to talk to you about further study at both foundation and degree levels. Making sense of our exciting visual world is an entertaining, creative and extremely rewarding option. 

The Course 

A level Art is designed to appeal to your developing creative talents. Taking up from where the GCSE course finished, you will have the time and the freedom to explore and develop a much more personal response to your art, giving you the opportunity to really engage with your chosen subject matter and build up a substantial folder of work. 

In Year 12, you will develop your practical skills through a structured programme which emphasises close observation and imaginative exploration in a wide variety of media. You will also learn to analyse and critique the work of other artists in depth. 

In Year 13, you will concentrate more on producing final outcomes on a theme chosen by you. This module is called a Personal Investigation, which takes the form of a coursework portfolio of practical work and a 1500-2000 word illustrated essay, both completed by January. Then the controlled assignment is undertaken from January to April in Year 13, culminating in a 15-hour timed response. The complete A level course is tailored to suit your individual development. As well as the timetabled lessons, many students take the opportunity to spend some of their study periods working in their individual study areas. 

Opportunities 

Throughout the two-year course we will take advantage of the diverse range of temporary exhibitions available locally. If possible there will be a chance to visit major exhibitions in the UK and abroad. Whenever they are available, we like to bring in practising artists and craftspeople to show their work and to hold practical workshops designed to augment your creative skills. You will be encouraged to enter your work for local and national competitions. At every stage in the course we will encourage you to experience art first hand so that your knowledge and understanding is enhanced and you continue to become stimulated by the work of other artists.  

Contact

Mr T Barnett B.A [email protected]