You will complete an internally assessed project ‘Art of Protest’ from September to May. An educational visit relevant to the project theme will kick start the initial phase of this project. All tasks will be teacher led until February with the intention of enhancing skills and preparing them for A Level study and university interview.

You will then guide yourselves through the remainder of your project guided by 1:1 tutorials which will boost your independence ready for your Personal Investigation. You will follow the AQA assessment objectives and enhance your observational skills, photography, independent research, exploring artists, analysing processes, exploring media, materials, techniques, developing ideas, refining ideas and practical work, designing and realising intentions. You will be guided through this process in order to prepare you adequately for the externally assessed project work in Year 13. You should exhibit work in a wide range of disciplines including paint, textile, ceramics and photography.

The aim of the course it to acquire a portfolio of work ready for university application and interview and create an exhibition space in the End of Year Show.

From April you will begin component one: Personal Investigation worth 60% of A Level.

You will aim to master the processes and showcase the skills developed throughout their time at school. You will work towards two externally assessed projects 1) Component One: Personal Investigation 60% 2) Component Two: Externally Set Assignment 40%. The personal investigation is student led and a creative pathway forged and supported by 1:1 teacher discussions. You will look to develop new techniques but also master previously learned skills. This project is a deep learning investigation exploring one theme with a written essay running alongside it. You will follow the AQA Art, Craft and Design Assessment Objectives.

Component Two: Externally Set Assignment examination papers are handed out from Feb 1st and you will choose one starting point navigating yourselves through the AQA assessment objectives which you are familiar with. 1:1 tutorials will again be the method of teacher delivery. You have unlimited preparation time and all preparatory work must be handed in at the start of their 15 hour controlled assessment period. The controlled assessment is typically completed at the end of April and concludes early May. All work completed will be exhibited within the department for AQA moderation purposes and forms part of the End of Year Show.

In Year 13 there must be an increased focus upon metacognition and you should plan your ideas and structure your journey before embarking upon tasks. Thinking will mainly occur in your small sketchbooks before working up realised intentions.