Art and Design at A level will build on the experiences of students at GCSE. Projects will be broadly theme-based with students encouraged to build up research across a range of ideas and disciplines. Increasing independence, initiative and ambition will be features of working at this level, as will a developing engagement with issues around the practice and theories of contemporary art and design. Students will gain experience of the following in each year: • Developing a body of independent imaginative work and ideas in 2 and 3 dimensions Group and individual work to long and short briefs. • Life drawing and experimental approaches to drawing. • Art workshops, and gallery visits to commercial and public collections. • Discussion and practical-based work in a range of materials. • Bi-annual Year 12/13 foreign art trip (we have been to Eindhoven, Berlin, Paris, Rome and Venice in recent years). • Mounting and hanging their own interim exhibitions throughout the course. • Working with a range of teachers trained in different disciplines. • Managing their own permanent studio space in Year 13.
In general, external applicants are required to achieve at least five GCSE passes at Grade 6 or above (as required by individual subjects) for entry into our A-level courses. A Grade 7 at GCSE in an Art related course.
Unit 1: Portfolio (30%) The portfolio is an exploratory investigation over the first year of the course in which students build a diverse and substantial folder of work. Work is based around two themes and the focus is on investigation skills and experimentation rather than resolved outcomes. Students will develop their ideas through sketchbook exploration, and study the working practices and contexts of a range of related artists, designers and creative practitioners. They will be encouraged to be independent, inventive and bold, and to visit exhibitions to inform their work. Unit 2: Critical and Contextual Study (30%) The critical and contextual study is a written essay of 3000–3500 words with relevant illustrations. The focus of the study is an aspect of the visual arts of interest to the candidate. The title and subject of the critical and contextual study is expected to evolve through ideas generated by candidates during either the first or second year of the course. With guidance from the teacher, candidates develop their focus and title for their study. Visits to exhibitions and museums will help students to narrow their focus. The Critical Study will be written during the second year of the course. Unit 3: Project (40%) – Year 13 The project involves the development of a sustained piece of studio practice culminating into a fully resolved piece or body of work. The ‘starting point’ for the Project is set by the Cambridge exam board and is given to students at the end of the first year. Students are encouraged to investigate and explore mediums and processes that inspire them and to build a body of informed work that culminates in ambitious and individual resolutions. Project work will be exhibited at the end of the course.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Barnet |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £19,059 - £22,980 |
| Address | 149 North End Road, London, NW11 7HY |
Art and Design at A level will build on the experiences of students at GCSE. Projects will be broadly theme-based with students encouraged to build up research across a range of ideas and disciplines. Increasing independence, initiative and ambition will be features of working at this level, as will a developing engagement with issues around the practice and theories of contemporary art and design. Students will gain experience of the following in each year: • Developing a body of independent imaginative work and ideas in 2 and 3 dimensions Group and individual work to long and short briefs. • Life drawing and experimental approaches to drawing. • Art workshops, and gallery visits to commercial and public collections. • Discussion and practical-based work in a range of materials. • Bi-annual Year 12/13 foreign art trip (we have been to Eindhoven, Berlin, Paris, Rome and Venice in recent years). • Mounting and hanging their own interim exhibitions throughout the course. • Working with a range of teachers trained in different disciplines. • Managing their own permanent studio space in Year 13.
In general, external applicants are required to achieve at least five GCSE passes at Grade 6 or above (as required by individual subjects) for entry into our A-level courses. A Grade 7 at GCSE in an Art related course.
Unit 1: Portfolio (30%) The portfolio is an exploratory investigation over the first year of the course in which students build a diverse and substantial folder of work. Work is based around two themes and the focus is on investigation skills and experimentation rather than resolved outcomes. Students will develop their ideas through sketchbook exploration, and study the working practices and contexts of a range of related artists, designers and creative practitioners. They will be encouraged to be independent, inventive and bold, and to visit exhibitions to inform their work. Unit 2: Critical and Contextual Study (30%) The critical and contextual study is a written essay of 3000–3500 words with relevant illustrations. The focus of the study is an aspect of the visual arts of interest to the candidate. The title and subject of the critical and contextual study is expected to evolve through ideas generated by candidates during either the first or second year of the course. With guidance from the teacher, candidates develop their focus and title for their study. Visits to exhibitions and museums will help students to narrow their focus. The Critical Study will be written during the second year of the course. Unit 3: Project (40%) – Year 13 The project involves the development of a sustained piece of studio practice culminating into a fully resolved piece or body of work. The ‘starting point’ for the Project is set by the Cambridge exam board and is given to students at the end of the first year. Students are encouraged to investigate and explore mediums and processes that inspire them and to build a body of informed work that culminates in ambitious and individual resolutions. Project work will be exhibited at the end of the course.