• Art at A Level will encourage students to develop their own visual literacy and their ability to develop personal practice with confidence. The aim of the course will be to encourage independence, individuality and self-expression whilst nurturing and developing artistic skills and techniques to the highest of standards.

• Students will explore the historical development of art practice across a variety of cultures and countries. A wide range of media (both traditional and new), including drawing and painting, sculpture, ceramics, print making, digital photography and Photoshop will be experienced and developed throughout the course. Students will be encouraged to develop their own personal pathway in response to their studies, from figurative and analytical to abstract and conceptual.

Assessment

Component 1 (60%)

Personal Investigation

This is a practical investigation supported by written material.

Students will develop a range of practical work based on a chosen idea, issue, concept or theme leading to one or more finished outcomes.

An in-depth written response (1000 – 3000 words) will then support investigations, developments and findings. This will be in addition to the usual annotation expected in sketchbooks.

Component 2 (40%)

Externally Set Task

Students respond to a choice of stimuli provided by AQA. Work produced should provide evidence of their ability to work independently across all 4 of the assessment objectives within specified time constraints. Preparatory work will lead to a 15 hour controlled assessment in order to demonstrate one or more personal and meaningful responses.