Art and Design: Fine Art AS/A Level

Curriculum Area: Creative Arts and Design

Art and Design: Fine Art AS/A Level

The specification studied is the OCR Fine Art. It may be taken alongside Photography, Textile Design, History of Art, Graphic Communication.

All students study a core curriculum covering; drawing, mixed media and painting, skills and theory: line, tone, texture, colour etc...working from primary sources. You then have the opportunity to study sculpture or painting or printmaking as appropriate.

During the second year students will have the opportunity to specialise in one or more of these areas.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

The AS is studied in the first year. It forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full A-Level. AS can be taken as a stand-alone specification or as part of the full A-Level course.

The assessment of the AS is divided into two units.

Unit One Coursework Portfolio 60% Unit Two Controlled Assignment 40%

Advanced Level (A2)

During the second year of study the assessment is divided into a further two units.

Unit Three Personal Investigation (unit 3 includes a sustained piece of writing of 1,000 – 3,000 words) 30% Unit Four Controlled Assignment 20%

Methods of Teaching and Learning

Practical work is supported by audio-visual input eg. Presentations, documentaries and critical studies.

In their first year students are given a thorough grounding in core skills through experimentation in a wide variety of media. In the second year students work and develop their own ideas and specialisms.

Students are encouraged to do first hand research and a number of trips are organised.

Enrichment

A number of visits are made throughout the year to both local and national galleries and exhibitions.

Methods of Assessment

All units will be marked internally by the Creative Arts team and will be moderated by the exam board.

Resources

The Curriculum Area consists of seven studios/work areas situated in a new custom-built Creative Arts complex with Design and Technology subjects being on the ground floor. The main areas catered for are: Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing and Painting, Textile Design, Fashion and Photography.

Progression

The full Advanced Level [A2] in Art provides a sound basis for students who wish to proceed to Higher Education as well as being a useful background to a career within the Art field. Students have the facilities to work from the range of media available e.g. drawing, painting, sculpture or print.

Entry Requirements

You will need 5 GCSEs at grade C or above or the equivalent in a minimum of 4 subject areas including GCSE English, a GCSE Art is desirable. You will be asked to do a small assignment before starting the course. This must be completed before enrolment. Plenty of advice will be given and no specialist equipment is necessary.

Charges

The cost of all trips will be the responsibility of the student. A studio fee is required for all art courses. There is also a 3 week life drawing block in term 2 for which a £15 fee is applicable. There is a fee of £48 for which students receive a comprehensive studio kit with all the materials they will need for the year. Financial assistance is available if required.