Students will be expected to have met St Paul’s entry requirements of 2 Grade 5’s and 4 Grade 4’s. A minimum of grade 4 in English and Maths is essential for all courses.

Specification

The course is designed to be fun, exciting and thought provoking for the students and builds on your individual strengths. It is made up of two units:

Coursework

Thematic enquiry (based on a theme Environment or Journey) 60% of overall mark

This unit is concerned with the relationship between exciting ideas and Art & Design practice. Ideas provide the starting point for much Artwork and as work is produced ideas and outcomes will change and develop. You will also have opportunities to develop an understanding of the expressive nature of the formal elements of art and design and express your ideas, creating a personal and engaging sketchbook or portfolio of work.

This includes a separate critical study of 1500 words.

Exam

Theme provided by EDEXCEL exam board

The question paper for this unit will provide you with one interesting and quite broad starting point, such as ‘Icons’, ‘The Environment’, ‘Rituals’ etc. You will have an eight-week preparation period, during which time you can discuss your work with your teacher. You should undertake investigative preparatory work in your work journals throughout the course. You will also have an exam of ten hours of unaided work.

Assessment Board: Edexcel

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

The best foundation for success in A’ level Fine Art is a good grade at GCSE Art & Design. Above all, you should have an interest in creating and understanding art and the determination to develop that interest. In exceptional circumstances, students without a GCSE in Art will be considered on the strength of their portfolio.

What will I learn on this A Level course?

The main purpose of the course in art, craft and design is to develop your ability to appreciate the visual world, to respond in a personal and creative way and to express your thoughts, ideas and feelings.

You will develop your imaginative and creative powers and your experimental, analytical and documenting skills. You will also develop a specialist vocabulary and the knowledge and understanding of the place of art, craft and design in history and in contemporary society.

The specific skills you acquire will be determined to some extent by the area of study you choose – for example graphic design, photography, film, textiles or fine art. Whether you see yourself as a painter, a fashion designer or a filmmaker, the same basic rules and skills apply. The majority of the A-Level students move on to a Foundation Course in Art & Design, where they finally decide on a specialism.

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

A Level GCE in Art & Design is suitable for students:

• who wish to study art, craft and design at a higher level usually at art college or further education; • who are looking to take up careers for which an art background is relevant, for example careers in advertising, publishing, architecture, museums, theatre, art gallery work or teaching / lecturing, illustration, fine art; with an interest in and aptitude for the subject who do not intend to study it further, but who see it as an opportunity for enjoyment, personal growth and expression.

Many students who do Art and Design (Fine Art) at A-level use their qualification to do a degree in Fine Art or a related subject. Example degree courses which require or accept Art and Design (Fine Art) A-level include Fine Art, Photography, History of Art, Art and Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Illustration.

Careers linked to Fine Arts include Art Therapist, Architect, Set Designer, Fashion Designer, Prop Maker, Teacher, Animator, Museum Curator, Advertising Art Director. Commercial Art Gallery Manager, Community Arts Worker, Conservator, Exhibition Designer, Graphic Designer and many more.

For further information, please contact:

Mrs Bosworth (cbosworth@st-pauls.leicester.sch.uk)