Art and Design (Fine Art)

Course summary

Art is all around us whether it be in priceless works of art adorning the white walls of a gallery; the graffiti of a political voice or the scribbles of an infant. Art allows us to see our world and express our individual identity. Steeped in a deep history, A Level Art provides the opportunity to develop great independence and character whilst immersed in a community of like-minded individuals. As well as building upon the skills learned at KS4 relating to competence in art and design, the study of art at key stage 5 is widely credited with nurturing all-round problem-solving skills, visual analysis, the ability to find creative solutions and make critical judgments, and the capacity to work outside students' comfort zones. Studying at key stage 5 continues to encourage self-expression and creativity and builds confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. Studying art at this level develops critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us, a skill that many employers seek in the current employee market. In Year 12 students explore a range of workshop-based processes designed to build upon their existing skills and prepare you for your Personal Investigation. This could include textiles, photography, sculpture, drawing, painting, or Photoshop. A level is very different from GCSE in that it expects students to work with a much higher degree of independence and the Year 12 course aims to develop these skills. Through study at Year 12, students usually develop a specialism that informs the development of their Personal Investigation into Year 13.