Art
Course Outline
Syllabus: Art, Craft & Design
The course is divided into two units: a Personal Investigation and an Externally Set Assignment. Students produce practical and critical contextual work associated with two or more of the following endorsements: Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design or 3D Design.
Exam Board: AQA..
Entry Requirements
Grade 5 GCSE Art.
We may consider students who have not completed GCSE Art with a small portfolio of work at Grade 5 standard.
Before embarking on this course of study, students should bear in mind that they will be expected to purchase sketchpads and any specialist materials that they might need.
Programme of Study
The first year of the course will include an initial period of recapping basic skills, developing knowledge of materials and a series of workshops. Students will select a topic of their choice as a theme. As well as personal tutorials, students will be expected to partake in group discussions and feedback sessions. We promote a sharing community, encouraging students to discuss their ideas, teach new techniques and share their discoveries. The sixth form room is available for use in their free time. Students will have a mock-style exam to prepare for the second year of the course.
Assessed content: Personal Investigation – a practical unit with written elements.
Students produce practical work on their chosen theme. This will be led by the individual and explore a topic personal to them. A written investigation of 1000 to 3000 words links the practical work to artists and designers they have studied, as well as detailing trips and wider experiences.
A2 Externally-Set Assignment
Students develop research work from 8 starting points provided by the exam board. This is undertaken between February and April and culminates in 15 hours of supervised time in which they are expected to fully realise their ideas. Students finish the course by mounting their exhibition in the main school hall.
Progression Opportunities
There is a large range of associated courses running at universities and colleges around the country, covering a wide range of specialisms such as illustration, animation, architecture, graphics, fine art, craft and design, textiles, etc. This can lead to a career working within the creative industries or an associated sector. Students recently have gone on to Foundation courses in Art and Textiles at Carlisle and Kendal, as well as applying directly to university for Textiles, Graphics, Illustration and teaching courses.