Art and Design (Fine Art)

Course summary

At Birkenhead School we follow the 2 year A Level course (AQA Art & Design; Fine Art 7202). The course builds on skills acquired at GCSE with students exploring and creating personal work using a range of 2D and/or 3D art, craft and design processes. Individual responses could take the form of drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media (including textiles) and sculpture. Students’ work is informed and enriched by critical and contextual studies; this is important in establishing good analytical skills and use of appropriate terminology ready for the written element of the Personal Investigation in Year 13. Year 12 is structured to encourage students to experiment with different techniques and approaches while incorporating existing skills at a higher level than previously. At the beginning of the course students work on teacher led projects before moving onto an extended project based on their own interests. Students choose their Personal Investigation theme in the summer term of Year 12, focusing on this throughout the autumn until they receive their exam paper at the start of February in Year 13.