Course information
History of Art
Harrow School - Harrow
02088728000
5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP
Course summary

In a world increasingly saturated by images, History of Art – with its emphasis on visual literacy – has never been more important. Artworks serve as 'fossils of economic life' and the subject incorporates the study of ideology, examining objects as the product of specific economic, political, artistic, social and religious structures. The A-level course provides a rigorous introduction to the subject, offering a broad contextual overview of the art historical canon from 500 BCE to the present day while focusing on particular historical moments, themes and methodological approaches. It also incorporates an unseen element whereby boys are encouraged to hone the core competency of visual analysis to evaluate and interpret images. First-hand experience with art is key, and Harrow is perfectly placed for regular trips to London and its many internationally renowned museums, commercial galleries and art fairs. Equally important are trips further afield that have included Florence, Venice, Paris and the East and West Coasts of America. The subject encourages vital transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, time management and effective written and oral communication. While the subject naturally favours boys with an interest in research and writing, the subject requires no prior knowledge nor study of Art and complements a wide range of other subjects including the sciences. Successful candidates are rigorous, enquiring and critical. Universities welcome applications from History of Art students wishing to study Art History, Architecture, Law, English, History, Philosophy, Theology and many other subjects. History of Art is offered by all Russell Group units

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from boys who: are likely to be predicted at least seven or eight passes at GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 7/8/9 (A/A*);

How you'll be assessed

Paper One: Visual Analysis and Themes • Visual Analysis: in the first third of the paper, students analyse and interpret three unseen photographs of a painting, a sculpture and a building, and deploying specialist terminology. • Themes: the remaining two-thirds of the paper is dedicated to two thematic topics: • Identities in art and architecture • War in art and architecture Boys will study artworks from beyond the Western canon of art to make both historical and geographic links. In addition to the selected artworks (spanning painting, sculpture and architecture), boys will also study secondary sources. Paper Two: Periods Boys will focus on specific historical moments to see how contemporary beliefs and ideas are reflected in the visual arts. Boys will study two periods for this paper: • Invention and illusion: the Renaissance in Italy (1420–1520) • Brave New World: Modernism in Europe (1900–39)

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionLondon
Local AuthorityHarrow
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeBoys
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding FeeUnknown
Sixth Form Fee£50,550
Address5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP