Students will produce practical and critical contextual work in one or more areas including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, installation, print making, and photography. Drawing is a compulsory element of the course. Students will need to generate and develop ideas, research work of other artists, record first-hand observations, experiment with media and processes, and review and refine ideas towards producing a personal and meaningful outcome. Year 12: In the first year of the course, students will learn new techniques and use new materials to explore a theme. Observational work will be a key aspect at the start of the course. As students progress into the course, a greater level of independence will be required in order to explore themes in a more personal and unique way. Work from this year will contribute to their overall portfolio of evidence. Year 13: In the second year of the course, students will complete a practical study supported by a written essay. Students are required to conduct a practical investigation into an area, issue, concept or theme that interests them. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of finished outcomes. The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates the student’s ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation.