ART & DESIGN A LEVEL
Brief Description:
AS Unit 1 – Coursework (60%)
Unit 2 – Externally set assignment (40%)
A2 Unit 3 – Coursework (60%)
Unit 4 – Externally set assignment (40%)
This is a broad and flexible course that incorporates many ways of approaching art. The course is designed to allow students to discover ways of expressing themselves visually. Students study a range of artist’s work spanning many periods and cultures, and respond to them in their own ways. This approach allows students to experiment and discover their own individual interests and how to pursue them during the course.
Course overview
The course consists of four units. Each year comprises one coursework unit and one externally set exam unit (where students develop a project in which part of the work is produced under exam conditions). In each unit students will be taught to analyse the work of other artists and use this knowledge to develop their own practice.
Throughout the course students are able to work in many disciplines, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, installation, photography, text, film and animation. The direction of the work is chosen by the students and they are closely supported by tutorials in every lesson and additional after-school sessions.
On Location
We encourage our students to make use of the excellent opportunities London has to offer, and expect students to visit galleries to view work that helps to develop their ideas. We also organise day trips to London galleries and a compulsory residential trip at the start of February to an activity centre in Cudham, which allows us to make a strong start in the build-up to the externally set exam.
Young London Artists Awards
The Young London Artists Awards is now a major part of the A-level programme. It gives students the opportunity to showcase their work and compete for a first prize of £100. This exhibition is run to coincide with the deadline for the coursework unit and gives students the opportunity to experience showing their work in an exhibition context, making choices and developing a professional practice that runs alongside this experience.
Aims
Our approach to this course is designed to give students the confidence, knowledge, and discipline to further their study of Art and Design in higher education, and we are committed to allowing students to find their own way of expressing themselves artistically.