In Year 12 you will explore a variety of materials, media, and techniques through one off lessons and project work with links to a variety of artists. There will be a written component which will help contextualise the practical elements of the course. This will total around 1,000 words and can be spread across more than one project and include sketchbook annotation. Students will also experience a Mock Exam style project, giving students the opportunity to work more independently and allowing them to go through the process of this before the real exam in Year 13. Within this they will look at a variety of artists and show understanding of their work and how this influences their own practice. In term 6 of Year 12, students will begin their Personal Investigation into an idea, issue, concept, or theme that is supported by written material. The written work will be a continuous piece of prose between 1,000-3,000 words that supports the project. This will then lead to a finished outcome or series of related finished outcomes. The Investigation will continue to run into Year 13 and the deadline for this will be towards the end of January. Following this, on the 1 February (or as soon after that date as possible), the A level exam paper is released, and students begin their Externally Set Assignment. They will have the option of 8 starting points and students are required to select one and make a project in response to that starting point. Approximately 8 weeks after this, will be their exam where student have 15 hours across 3 days in which they must produce a finished outcome or series of related finished outcomes, informed by their preparatory work. During your course you will be advised on how to build a portfolio of artwork suitable for entry to a one-year pre-degree Foundation Diploma course in Art and Design or a university degree.