Year 9
In their first term, pupils will complete 6 taster session lessons in Art where they will have the opportunity to work in ceramics, printmaking, drawing, collage, photography and Photoshop. At the end of the term they can opt to continue the subject and will then be able to enjoy one double lesson a week for the rest of the year. During this time they will work on 2 projects, one in 2D and the other in 3D, both of which are designed to develop skills and an understanding of the formal elements of Art and Design.
(GALLERY)
GCSE
The School follows the AQA Art and Design (Fine Art) course. The pupils have 2 double lessons a week and are able to access the facilities in the art school outside of lesson time.
In Year 10, pupils work in 3 distinct discipline areas - Ceramics, Drawing & Painting, Photography and Printmaking, and rotate to each throughout the year. They will keep a visual and written work journal that documents their creative journey as they develop new skills and techniques. This is a fun and exciting year with an emphasis on learning through experimentation. The best element(s) may be carried forward for assessment at the end of the course.
In Year 11 pupils complete the bulk of the assessable work.
Unit 1: Portfolio of Work is worth 60% of the overall grade and is completed in class over a 15 week period. The pupils complete individual projects on a given theme within their chosen area of study.
Unit 2: Externally Set Task is worth 40%. The development work is completed in a 6 to 7 week period and the final piece in 10 hours produced under examination conditions.
(GALLERY)
A Level
The School follows the Edexcel Art and Design (Unendorsed) course.
The A Level course encourages imagination, observation, and analysis of the visual world. There is an opportunity to learn advanced practical skills in 2 and 3- dimensional media.
As the course progresses, pupils are encouraged to develop a personal style and interests which become the foundation for their work in the second year. The AS course is designed to give a sound grounding of subject knowledge and understanding. Those continuing to A2 have the opportunity to explore their ideas in depth.
The course aims to develop·
- intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers
- investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
- an understanding of the inter-relationships between art and design and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
- knowledge and understanding of art and design in contemporary society and in other times and cultures
Year 12
The AS level builds directly upon the skills and knowledge gained at GCSE. We therefore highly recommend that all pupils wanting to follow the AS level course have successfully completed GCSE Art & Design, preferably gaining an A/A* grade.
Internal assessment of the 2 units - 1) coursework and 2) externally set assignment, takes place in May/June.
(GALLERY)
Year 13
The vast majority of the AS candidates choose to continue their Art/Design studies in the Upper Sixth by completing the A level examination with the A2 course. We recommend, however, that an A-C grade has been achieved at AS. Again, this course comprises of 2 units of work - 3) coursework / personal study and 4) externally set assignment, with the final, internal assessment in May/June.
(GALLERY)