Art & Design

A-Level Art & Design

If you are creative, independent and looking to push the boundaries of your art work, whilst developing strong technical skills and immersing yourself in art, then this could be the course for you.

You will need to be self-motivated, pro-active, hard working and open to new challenges. We offer two A-Level courses both are taught side by side:

Art, Craft & Design

Our course is for art students who think creatively, want to develop their imaginative powers and are visually curious.  We start with a Foundation Course that requires you to respond to stimulus, taking risks, engage in critical thinking, trailing, making and investigating.  You are guided through technical processes in drawing, painting and printing, allowing you to respond in your own style to the visual world we live in.  You will then take control and ownership of your learning and start to build your personal direction supported and encouraged by specialist Art tutors.

The course you select is tailored to you, it is your interests that will guide the studio practice, building a body of work leading to final outcomes.

Our course is for students who think creatively, want to develop their imaginative powers and are visually curious. We start with a Foundation Course that requires you to respond to stimulus, taking risks, engage in critical thinking, trialling, making and investigating. You are guided through technical processes in drawing, design, and construction in a range of materials and processes, allowing you to respond in your own style to the visual world we live in. You will then take control and ownership of your learning and start to build your personal direction, whether that be sculpture, architecture, body decoration/jewellery, furniture design and set design, supported and encouraged by specialist Art tutors and workshop technicians. The course you select is tailored to you and it is your interests that will guide the studio practice, building a body of work, leading to final outcomes. Additional equipment and resources may be required for individual development. Materials can be bought at cost price from the college Art store.

Course Details

In years 1 and 2 you will focus on your personal portfolio, incorporating a Foundation Course, sketchpad preparation and outcomes, supported by a piece of critical writing. In year 2, you will study an externally set examination theme, presenting a body of work responding to a given theme, leading to a final outcome created during a 15 hour period of sustained focus, under examination conditions. Your learning environment is centred around the studio where your independent learning hours will fuse with your studio practice, to stimulate visually working in sculpture and three dimensional construction, mixed media or installation. Events, exhibitions, talks, workshops, placements and work links are offered to you and there are also plenty of opportunities to connect with the exciting art scene, both locally and nationally.

 

Course structure:

Component 1: 60% In years 1 and 2 you will focus on your personal portfolio. Incorporating a Foundation Course, sketchpad preparation and outcomes supported by a piece of critical writing.

Component 2: 40% In year 2 you will study an externally set examination theme. Presenting a body of work responding to a given theme, leading to a final outcome created during a 15 hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions.

Assessment (Exam Board – AQA)

You will receive ongoing feedback from teachers through formative and summative assessment,

alongside peer and group critiques, culminating in a final exhibition in the Arts Festival in the summer term.

Oakes students have gone on to study Product Design, Sculpture, Furniture Design, Fine Art, Graphics and Teaching degrees to name a few. A-level Art promotes creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork, physical and practical decision making, imaginative powers, all of which are life skills crucial for successful employment.

Entry Requirements:

7 Higher Grades

· Grade 4 (or above) for English and Maths

· Grade 4 (or above) for other GCSE subjects

· 1 BTEC (or equivalent) at Merit or above may be included within the 7 grades