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Art (Fine Art)

Year 12:

Students follow a teacher–led programme until October half term. Through a series of tasks and exercises they develop observational drawing and painting skills and a greater understanding of the formal elements of visual language and how these can be applied in their practical work. Students also undertake some work in mixed media during this period, along with some photography and image processing. As well as practical skills, students also develop their critical understanding of art works by applying rigorous methods of analysis and interpretation. Students are guided in their understanding of the A level assessment criteria with its emphases on development, experimentation, recording and realisation. They also develop research and presentation skills so that they can effectively tackle the more independently driven work that commences after the autumn half term.

From November until February students embark on a thematic project which allows them to explore and develop ideas in portrait, still life, or landscape genres, or a combination of these. The developments of this work will culminate in a series of sustained drawn and painted pieces, along with other media or mixed media approaches that the student may wish to use. During this period student’s work is tracked and monitored to ensure that in preparatory stages the assessment criteria are effectively addressed.

In January a Y12 examination paper is issued and students begin to develop and explore ideas in response to a given theme.  Again work is tracked and monitored by the department to ensure that in these preparatory stages the assessment criteria are effectively addressed. This work prepares students for a 10 hour exam in which a final piece or pieces are produced.  This takes place over a two day period towards the beginning of the summer term (see calendar).

Year 13:

The year commences in June after the Year 12 exam period is completed. During this ‘summer plan’ period students tackle a series of teacher-led exercises based on the theme of ‘Viewpoints’, which allow students to work in portrait, still-life and landscape genres. During this period, students begin to devise personal projects that they will continue over the summer holidays and during which time they produce at least one sustained final piece in media of their choice.

In the autumn term students continue to develop personal themes and ideas and to devise a suitable topic for their personal study. This 1500 - 3000 word essay explores an aspect of art and design that relates to their practical enquiries. As well as preparatory work that demonstrates development, experimentation and recording students will also be working on realised, sustained pieces which they will exhibit at an end of year show in December.

Students will complete their Personal Studies during the Christmas holidays and finalise their coursework submissions during the period between the start of the spring term and February when they will be given the A2 exam paper from which students develop and explore ideas in response to a given theme. Again this work is tracked and monitored by the department. This preparatory work culminates in a 15 hour exam, taken over a three day period, towards the beginning of the summer term (see calendar).  

A Level Specification

Click here for our Virtual Y13 Art and Photography Exhibition

Careers in the creative industry.