Art and Design (Fine Art)

What board do we do? AQA, A level subject code 2202B

What is Art and Design?   
Art is an exciting and stimulating subject for the independent and creative student who enjoys painting and drawing. The course will explore various aspects of Art and Design and the students will be exposed to a wide range of media and styles.

Which subjects combine well with Art and Design?
Art combines well with a number of other subjects for example students wanting to pursue a career in architecture will need Physics, and Mathematics in order to study this at University. The related discipline of Photography and History are other obvious examples.     

What careers and University courses can Art and Design lead to?
A good grade in Art  and Design at A level is valued by universities and employers, as it requires you to demonstrate the ability to solve creative problems and think independently.  This course lays an appropriate foundation for further study of  Art in higher education , for example on a Foundation course at an Art College, from which students go on to study  subjects such as Fashion, Product Design ,  Fine Art, Interior Design, Theatre and Film/Set Design and Graphic Design. Students often study Architecture after completing an A Level in Art and Design.

AS

AS Unit 1 (ARTB1): 50% of AS, 25% of A level

Portfolio Unit
Students will produce a body of work which will include at least one extended collection of work, or project, based on an idea or theme.  The unit is marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA through a visit to the College.

 AS Unit 2 (ARTB2): 50% of AS, 25% of A level

Externally Set Assignment
The emphasis of this unit is the development of ideas.  The students choose a question from a selection set by AQA and then develop this into a finished piece of work.  There is a five hour supervised and unaided period when the students will develop their own ideas.  This unit is marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA through a visit to the College.

A2

A2 Unit 3 (ARTB3): 25% of A level

Personal Investigation
This is a practical unit with written elements which should be no less than 1000 words and no more than 3000.  The students develop a personal investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme of their choice.  This will then lead to a finished piece or pieces.  This unit is marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA through a visit to the College.

A2 Unit 4 (ARTB4): 25% of  A level

Externally Set Assignment
A choice of questions set by AQA is used as a starting point for the students to develop a project – students select ONE.  Towards the end of the project students will complete 15 hours of unaided and unsupervised time, by the end of which they will have resolved their work with a finished piece.  The unit is marked by the teacher and  moderated by AQA by visit to the college.

Classes are small and students are encouraged at both levels to think independently and develop their work in a personal manner.  Trips are made to museums and galleries and good use is made of neighbouring Holland Park and Kensington Gardens for sketching.