Art

 

AS and A Level

Introduction

What is examined?

The course encourages an adventurous and enquiring approach to Art and Design, placing the student in the centre of their learning:

  • intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers.
  • investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement.
  • an understanding of the interrelations between Art and Design and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate.
  • knowledge and understanding of Art and Design in contemporary society and in other times and cultures.

Do I have the necessary skills?

  • above all you should be genuinely interested and willing to explore and develop many art forms and of course work hard.
  • a GCSE in Art and Design is advantageous but not always essential.
  • this course is designed to progress naturally from GCSE Level exploring new processes, media, history and personal themes in more depth and detail.

How is it examined?

Three AS units are taken at the end of the first year of Sixth Form for an AS qualification and a further three A2 units are taken at the end of the second year leading to a full A Level.

AS Unit 1: Thematic Study 30% of the AS or 15% of the A Level

You will be required to work from a given starting theme towards one or more well-considered conclusions:

  • You might explore your own or other localities, both built and natural.
  • You will make comparisons and connections between your interpretation of the theme and the work of other artists from around the world.
  • You will record ideas , research and analysis through sketch book work. This is an integrated and essential part of your practical development.

AS Unit 2: Expressive Study 30% of AS, 15% of A Level

You will explore the expressive force of art and design and focus on experimentation and technical skills. You will learn how to use appropriate language and practices to express your own ideas through sketchbooks and development of final pieces.

AS Unit 3: Externally set Assignment 40% of AS, 20% of A level

The external paper will be given to you six weeks prior to the examination and will provide you with a starting point. This will conclude with an eight hour practical examination. An exhibition for assessment concludes the AS course.

The three A2 units to complete a full A Level in the second year of the Sixth Form are:

A2 Unit 4: Problem solving Practical Coursework 15% A level.

As for Unit 1, you will be given a starting point and be required to work towards a well-developed conclusion in greater depth.

A2 Unit 5: Personal Study 15% A level

The Personal Study requires you to link your own practical work with a broader study of the world of art, craft and design in the form of an illustrated thesis of up to 3500 — 5000 words. An important skill to develop in communication is the control of the design and presentation of your study.

A2 Unit 6: Externally Set Assignment 20% A Level

This external paper is handed to you 8 weeks prior to the exam and will provide you with the starting point as practices at AS Level. This will be followed by a 12 hour exam and an exhibition to conclude the course.

Assessment

  1. Throughout the course, homework and classwork are continually assessed. Monthly assessments are periodically posted to parents plus Christmas reports.
  2. All modules are internally assessed and externally moderated by a visiting moderator.