Board: Edexcel

Head of Department: Will Lewer

Course structure

The two year Art & Design A-Level is broken down in 4 units, 2 in each year. At AS there is now a long coursework unit, which may take the form of several smaller projects, followed by an externally set themed project in the third term.
At A2 students will work with independence on their own chosen project and will present a Personal Study looking in depth into the work of two artists who have influenced them. They will also have an externally set themed project towards the end of the course.
Both years end with a large exhibition of students' work.

Unendorsed Art and Design

We follow the ‘Unendorsed’ Art and Design specification, which means that students may choose to either specialise or make work across the range of design categories, i.e. in sculpture, painting, textiles, ceramics, graphics, etc. They will be given a general grounding in the basics and fundamental approaches to Art and Design. Students are encouraged to think for themselves and to take risks. They will be encouraged to visit exhibitions, engage with ideas in contemporary art, and to be ambitious in their own work.

Methods of accessment:

The coursework unit in each year is worth 60%, with the final external unit worth 40% (in each year). All work is marked and moderated in June of each year, at which point an exhibition of each student’s work is mounted. Formative assessment takes place with staff throughout the course and at the end of each unit.
Sketchbook, photographs and other documentation form the backbone of assessed work and should demonstrate an involved and personal thought process.

Grade requirements:

Although we generally require a B grade at GCSE in Art or Graphics, we do accept students who can show an aptitude for drawing and making, with examples of their own work.

Other features:

Life-drawing sessions arranged in both years.
Sixth Form foreign Art trip in October each year.
Recently we have visited Venice, Barcelona, Berlin and Granada
Year 13 students are given a studio to work in for the year.
Exhibition of all students’ work each June.
Trips to galleries, workshops and exhibitions.
All materials and sketchbooks (excepting very specialist equipment) provided.
Artists visits and workshops.