Art    

All students will follow the 2 year A Level course, comprising of a coursework unit (Personal Investigation) worth 60% of the qualification, and an Externally Set Assignment set by the Pearson exam board, worth 40% of the total A Level.

During the 2 year A Level course, students will put together an extensive portfolio of artwork in response to self-initiated themes, as well as themes set by the Pearson exam board. In the first term of the course, all students receive practical workshop inductions into a range of media and processes including drawing, painting, sculpture and digital photography. Students are expected and encouraged to explore a broad range of materials and techniques, building a portfolio of experimental work and outcomes based on ideas developed from a self-initiated starting point. Students will then refine their expertise in the direction of their choice. Drawing is a core activity for all students; students are encouraged to experiment with a range of approaches to drawing, using sketchbooks and other formats for supporting studies as a means of recording and developing ideas.

Critical and contextual studies is an important part of the development process. Students are expected to engage with the work of other artists, craftspeople and designers in an analytical way.

Students will be expected to take an active interest in past and contemporary art & design, visiting galleries and museums on their own initiative in order to inspire and inform their own work.

Unit 1: Personal Investigation (60% of A Level Grade)

The course begins with a series of skills-based inductions into a range of advanced techniques and processes. Following the initial exploratory stage, students begin discussions with teachers, developing an idea for their Personal Investigation; the coursework project that must be sustained and completed between September of Year 12 until January in Year 13. There are 3 elements to the Personal Investigation. It must comprise of supporting studies (sketchbooks or equivalent), practical outcomes (development work and final pieces) and a written personal study. The documentation of the practical and theoretical exploration of ideas is an essential part of the course.

The personal study is a 1000 word (minimum) illustrated essay which is integral to the development of practical work, and is worth 18 out of a total of 90 coursework marks. The research topic and focus of discussion are developed by the student, in consultation with their teachers. The final essay must demonstrate critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding of artists’ work.

Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of A Level Grade)

Students develop a portfolio of practical and written work in preparation for the final piece, which is completed in a 15 hour period of sustained focus conducted under examination conditions. The sketchbook and development work are assessed alongside the final exam piece, much like the current GCSE course.

The emphasis of the A Level is that the work is self-directed. This means that you take the lead when deciding what you want to do, and develop greater autonomy and independence in doing so. The standard of practical work is also expected to be significantly better than at GCSE. This does not mean that everything has to be photo-real – there is an understanding that all forms of artwork, including stylised, abstract, mixed-media and new media (film, photography, installation etc.) can be deemed equally mature and of value. In addition to practical work, your research work is expected to be more in-depth and show a deeper appreciation of both the art world, and the world in general. Personal insights into science, politics, religion and society should help to enrich your work.

In September, you will spend some time coming up with a direction for your course work project. We do not give you a theme - we ask you to develop your own theme by engaging in a research-led thought process.

In preparation for this, you will be asked to find and make notes on a selection of 10- 20 artists, craftspeople and/or designers whose work interests and inspires you. 

You may already have a strong idea of the style and method of working that you want to explore. In which case, focus your research accordingly. You may not have a strong sense of direction yet, but this is absolutely fine. In this case, research widely and do not worry if, at first, you appear to have a disparate collection of unrelated artists. An idea will soon emerge through the process of research and reflection.

First, find and present a selection of your favourite images by your chosen artists. Aim for at least 3 images per artist.

Next, make some notes about each artist. In your notes, briefly summarise/describe the nature of the artwork, then explain in more detail what you find interesting or inspiring about this artist’s work.  Aim for around 200 words per artists - make it personal, and keep it concise. No need for full essay-style analysis at this stage.

The deadline for this work will be mid-September. You are not expected to present the work in a sketchbook until this point. Compile the research digitally or on paper for now, and you will be issued with sketchbooks in your first lesson.

ALSO:

If possible, and depending on the current climate, it would be advisable to visit some galleries or museums over the summer, at least online, to help with the initial ideas and research-gathering process. 

Have a look at what’s on locally, look at the ‘Timeout’ website for details of London exhibitions or other major cities. If you’re on holiday, find out what is around. Make notes on what you see, gather information leaflets and postcards etc.  Failing this, it is possible to conduct similar research on museum and gallery websites. Reflections on gallery visits can be added to your new sketchbook in September, alongside your 10-20 artists.