Art A Level

Course summary

This is a challenging course, where a range of both practical and research skills are taught to a high level. Students have the opportunity to use quality materials. We encourage students to explore media to gain confidence and control. There is an expectation that students will develop their own responses to given themes that is supported by some in depth and independent research. To be successful, students need to develop their ideas through sustained focused investigations informed by contextual research and select media and process to develop their skill base through exploration and experimentation of technique and process.(ao1+2). First hand recording is important and we encourage lots of observational work to support and extend this (ao3). Each student will present a body of realised work, with links and connections to the works of others, (ao4). There is a written component to the qualification that is separately assessed. Students will be required to write a critical essay about the work of other practitioners that demonstrates a high level of understanding of content, context, process and practice. Students will be assessed on their ability to investigate and develop ideas, make independent research exploring context and connections and develop personal responses recording their ideas and findings. The essay has a maximum of 3000 words.