Course information
Art and Design (Fine Art)
Sherborne School for Girls - Dorset
01935812245
Bradford Road, Sherborne, DT9 3QN
Course summary

Art at this level gives pupils the opportunity to build on their creative and technical skills to a far more sophisticated level than at GCSE. Studying A Level Art develops qualities of self-discipline, independence of thought and the ability to form insights into the world around us. We encourage visual curiosity, experimentation with a wide range of media and, perhaps more importantly, we encourage pupils to question why we produce art and what we are trying to communicate to our audience. A Level Art is a course that aims to teach pupils ‘how to think’ not ‘what to think’. The first year of the course is predominantly experimental and involves an introduction to the various disciplines taught within the department. This gives pupils the opportunity to see the possibilities inherent in the techniques learnt. Painting, drawing, mixed media, fibre art, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, installation and photography are all areas within the Fine Art specialism. Alongside developing skills, pupils come to understand how ideas, feelings and meanings connect to images and artefacts at a personal level, and how they are socially constructed over time through genres, styles and traditions. They improve their aesthetic understanding and critical judgement. An important part of A Level Art, therefore, is an understanding of context and subjective responses to it.

Entry requirements

Candidates would normally be expected to obtain at least six Grade 6s at GCSE level (or equivalent).

How you'll be assessed

Component 1: Personal Investigation (60%) Pupils develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artists, designers, photographers or craftspeople and include written work of between 1,000 and 3,000 words to support the practical work. Component 2: Externally Set Task (40%) Pupils respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work that evidences their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response that addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to the production of a finished outcome or series of related finished outcomes.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth West
Local AuthorityDorset
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeGirls
ISI Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form FeeUnknown
AddressBradford Road, Sherborne, DT9 3QN