Our A Level Art course ensures you develop a very personal response to project themes while learning and incorporating a wide range of skills and techniques and studying historical and current art genres and artists.
You will be involved in sketching, printing and large-scale paintings and the personal portfolios and investigations are designed to nurture your creativity, expertise and self- expression.
The Art course comprises four major units of work, with two completed in each year of study.
The first unit involves producing a Major Portfolio of at least ten A1 study sheets, to showcase your willingness to experiment and your skills in drawing, painting, mixed media and printmaking. The second unit involves an eighteen-week study culminating in a final Controlled Assessment of ten-hour duration, drawing on the skills and knowledge that you have developed in the first unit.
In the second year of study, the third unit involves a major Personal Investigation, building on your learning from the prior year while encouraging originality of design and application and maturation of your individual style. Your Personal Investigation will comprise up to ten A1 study sheets, large-scale paintings and sketchbooks all supported by a 3,000-word special study. The fourth and final unit involves a Controlled Test with twelve weeks of preparation and a ten-hour final painting.
This course suits any student who has a passion for creativity and who is interested in studying a wide range of mediums and artistic styles. You will usually have studied Art at GCSE, achieving grades 4 or higher, and Design Technology experience can also be useful, although not essential! Commitment is the key to success; a successful sixth form art student commits time and focus to this highly rewarding subject.
Studying Art expands creativity, the ability to interpret the world around us and self-expression. Artistic and cultural personal development are assured and, as part of the course, you will enjoy a residential visit to either the US or a European capital city, visit galleries and listen to experts share their knowledge and understanding, attend our additional after-school workshops and benefit from the one-to-one guidance and support that has led to outstanding A level outcomes. You will also develop your critical evaluation skills and your ability to articulate your opinion and to incorporate other ideas and approaches into your own practice.
A significant number of prior students have progressed to Foundation and Degree courses in a variety of artistic disciplines. Studying art will open the door to a huge variety of careers in fine art, architecture, photography, fashion and textiles, film and animation, graphic design, art restoration, theatrical costume design, interior design, product design, advertising, automotive engineering, aeronautical engineering … to name but a few!
Join us for a private tour to find out more about our fantastic teaching and learning.