A series of drawing workshops commence our study in Autumn Term 1.  We challenge Students to consider 'What is drawing?'.  As dry as this sounds it isn't!  Experimentation underpins everything we do in Lower Sixth. We draw with a range of materials, techniques and processes in a bid to liberate students thinking and ideas.  In Autumn Term 2 students are asked to develop these ideas into further outcomes considering how they can draw in textiles, ceramics and paint. Students make larger scale oil paintings, textile garments and ceramic sculptures under the guise of drawing. These workshops aim to provide a platform for success, to build new skills and to 'free up' their technique in preparedness for more mature study. We aim to promote fun whilst maintaining academic rigour, weekly deadlines keep students focussed and in control of their workload. This work is internally assessed and forms part of the portfolio to be used at university interview. 

In the Spring Term students complete a mini project. This is a return to project based thinking, considering how ideas sequence, connect and extend. An educational visit to London Galleries will kick start the initial phase of this project.

All tasks are teacher guided until April with the intention of enhancing skills and preparing them for Component One: The Personal Investigation and university portfolio interview. 

In the Summer Term students begin the AQA assessed work.  Their first project is 7201/C Component One: Personal Investigation. This is worth 60% of the A Level. It begins in April and ends on January 31st in the Upper Sixth year. Completing an independent project of their choosing they will follow the AQA assessment objectives and produce work such as:

• observational drawing,

• photography, 

• independent research and gallery visits,

• artist research and exploration, 

• developing artistic processes whilst exploring media, materials and techniques,

• developing and refining ideas, 

• designing 

• and realising intentions in final pieces. 

Students will be guided through this process but have a choice from a wide range of disciplines within which to work including paint, textile, ceramics, digital, sculpture, installation, moving image and photography. All themes are chosen by the student.

A European visit is offered to students (usually at Easter) to help generate ideas for the Personal Investigations. Destinations have included Madrid, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Paris. 

The aim of the L6th course is also to acquire a portfolio of work ready for university application and interview and curate an exhibition space in the End of Year Show.

Students will aim to master their process and showcase their skills developed throughout their time at school. They 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. Students will look to develop new techniques but also master previously learned skills. This project is a deep learning investigation with a 3000 word written essay running alongside it. 

Component Two: Externally Set Assignment examination papers are handed out from Feb 1st and students will choose one starting point, navigating themselves through the AQA assessment objectives that they are familiar with. Students 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 securely within the department for AQA moderation purposes and forms part of the End of Year Show.

In Year 13 there is an increased focus upon metacognition and students should plan their ideas and structure their journey before embarking upon tasks, students are taught how to do this. Thinking occurs in their small sketchbooks before working up realised intentions.

Students will finalise portfolios for university interview and curate the End of Year show.