Your curriculum is designed thematically, as experienced at GCSE, and uses the same assessment objectives as GCSE Art & Design.
You will still participate in teacher-led workshops and be guided weekly on what to complete. However, the content, design and ultimately the project is entirely personalised to your own skills and interests. Teachers will share resources and feedback digitally to ensure you are able to access guidance and support throughout the project.
A-level students can access additional support and guidance from specialist teachers and technicians during lunchtimes, plus three afterschool sessions during the week. However, A-Level students are encouraged to work in the Sixth Form studio during your free periods to work independently on your practical pieces. Visiting galleries and exhibitions is strongly encouraged, to help inspire your creative thoughts and engage in the art industry beyond the school curriculum.
A Level content
Component 1 - Personal investigation
A major in-depth, critical, practical and theoretical investigative portfolio and outcome/s based on themes and subject matter that have personal significance. You will produce two separate projects within this portfolio.
Accompanied by a written element of 1000 words minimum, which may contain images and texts.
Each project within the coursework will cover the following:
- Critical research and analysis of practitioners (both historical and contemporary)
- Primary research and observations – including photography
- Development and communication of ideas through drawing
- Recording and evaluation of ideas and insights through written annotation
- Experimentation and refinement using a variety of mediums.
Component 2 - Externally set assignment
Set by the exam board and released in February, students choose a starting point and produce a succinct portfolio of work independently. This culminates in the production of a final response in a 15 hour controlled assessment period.
You will be assessed on two core elements:
- Personal investigation (60% of the total mark)
- Externally set assignment (40% of the total mark).
Each component is assessed separately, the final marks are combined to create an overall mark/200 which the exam board apply an overall grade to.
Component 1 offers a maximum of 120 marks equally split into 30 marks across the four assessment objectives.
Component 2 offers a maximum of 80 marks equally split across the four assessment objectives.
These assessment objectives are:
AO1 – Critical Understanding
AO2 – Creative Making
AO3 – Reflective Recording
AO4 - Personal Presentation.
At the end of Year 13, both components are presented in an exhibition for the moderator to assess, and to celebrate our students' creativity and success.