Art and Design: Fine Art

The Art Department aims to foster talent and encourage independent learning through nurturing creativity and imagination. We hope to help you acquire the skills and vision to enable you to achieve your highest potential at A-level and beyond.

The subject is based around an intensive improvement of technical skills and the encouragement of individual interests. Your ideas are structured and supported through private tutorials.

You will need to have completed a GCSE in the subject. The most important requirements are that you have an interest in the subject and will apply yourself with enthusiasm, effort and commitment.

What will you study and learn?

The course is structured to build on and improve the skills you have already gained at GCSE. By completing research and visiting galleries, we aim to develop your understanding of aesthetic qualities and an awareness of the importance of art and design in our own culture and others. We hope to foster your ability to articulate ideas, feelings and opinions about personal work and that of others to assist with your own self-expression. By developing your powers of visual perception and the exploration of elements in the visual world, we will enable you to manipulate these with a growing ability. Firstly, we aim to impart a genuine enjoyment of the subject and a growing sense of self- confidence and self-esteem.

Course content and examinations

The course that you will follow at A-level is endorsed Art & Design (Fine Art) as specified by the examination board, AQA. The A-level specification is comprised of some initial experiments, one component of practical coursework (personal investigation) supported by a written element of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words, and an externally set assignment, which concludes with a 15-hour examination.

The personal investigation unit counts for 60% and the externally set task unit makes up the remaining 40% of the final grade.

Where could the subject take you?

Further study can be followed in a wide variety of disciplines. For many routes into art and design, it is often advisable to attend a foundation course before applying to university. This will inform your decision about choosing a specialist area at degree level. Fine Art at A-level can lead on to a career in many different areas, such as becoming an artist, animator, art therapist, designer (including graphics, product, fashion, exhibitions, furniture, jewellery, web or gaming), architect, conservator/ restorer, or printmaker, photographer or illustrator.