Why Art?
In Art we help students to pursue their own field of enquiry, to realise their imaginative potential and to externalise their ideas in a visual form. Students are encouraged to decide on their own content, style and interpretation of each set project. The course develops girls’ intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers.
Course Overview
Unit 1 - Portfolio
Students produce a Portfolio based on Fine Art, which includes practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas such as drawing, painting, sculpture, print making, photography etc. Emphasis is on the student’s ability to develop ideas (informed by research), experiment (reviewing and refining as work develops), record ideas and their ability to present a personal response. Some of the work can be stand-alone items, however there should be a least one project included to show evidence of research, planning, development, amendment and evaluation.
Unit 2 – Externally Set Assignment
Students produce practical work in any medium related to a theme chosen from a selection given by the exam board. At the end of a lead-in period candidates must complete 5 hours of unaided, supervised time, the first two hours of which should be consecutive. All work should show evidence of a journey of research, exploration and development leading to a final outcome.
Unit 3 – Personal Investigation
Students are required to develop a Personal Investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme. This will be a practical work supported by critical analysis. This unit should be considered as a major project which builds on the foundation given at AS level.
Unit 4 – Externally Set Assignment
Students produce practical work in any medium related to a theme chosen from a selection given by the exam board. At the end of a lead-in period students must complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time, the first three hours of which should be consecutive. All work should show evidence of a journey of research, exploration and development leading to a final outcome.
Assessment
For AS Level, students produce a Portfolio for assessment and complete a five hour Externally Set Assignment under examination conditions. For A2 Level, students do a Personal Investigation which includes an assessment of work produced and complete a fifteen hour Externally Set Assignment under examination conditions.
Beyond A Level
Students find Art to be an interesting and creative compliment to other subjects, providing breadth. Some use it as a stepping stone to a Foundation Course in Art and Design or as a direct route to a degree course in Fine Art, Graphic or 3D Design, Fashion and Textiles, Photography, Film, Animation or Architecture.