A Level Art and Design
PEARSON EDEXCEL A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (9FA0) - FINE ART
CAMBRIDGE AS AND A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (9479) - GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
Entry Guidance
This 2-year course is offered to students who have strong Art and Design skills, and suggest that students should have achieved at least a grade 5 or grade B at IGCSE Art and Design before choosing the course. Students who do not have at least a grade 5 or grade B at IGCSE Art and Design or have not taken IGCSE Art and Design will be considered but should first meet with the Head of Art to discuss their previous work and future intentions in the subject. They will be required to complete work over the summer holiday in advance of the course. Two pathways are offered: Fine Art or Graphic Communication (students cannot choose both courses). Students should indicate their preferred pathway on the options form. The Fine Art pathway teaches students about key methods and principles of Fine Art with reference to the 20th century. Painting, collage, printmaking and assemblage are the main focuses of this pathway. This course is ideal for anyone interested in pursuing more personal creative aims, possibly with a long-term view of studying a Fine Art subject at university. The Graphic Communication pathway introduces students to a variety of experiences exploring a range of traditional studio and digital technologies. Students explore a range of disciplines including illustration, advertising, packaging design and typography. There is a strong emphasis on experimentation and image-making in this course. This course is ideal for students who are interested in working in response to a brief concept or idea and for intended audiences.
Course Aims
The course aims to develop in students:
- Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities
- Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills
- Aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
- Independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes
- Experience of working with a broad range of media
- An understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
- Knowledge and experience of real-world contexts and, where appropriate, links to the creative industries
- An awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art, craft and design
Students will also gain life-long skills, including:
- Cognitive skills: non-routine problem solving, systems thinking, critical thinking & ICT literacy
- Interpersonal skills: communication, relationship-building skills, collaborative problem solving
- Intrapersonal skills: adaptability, self-management and self-development
Course Content
Year 1
Students will start work on component 1, aimed at quickly bridging the gap between IGCSE and A Level, as well as giving them a solid starting point for their coursework. They will also be taught to purposefully annotate and record the progress of their work. It is expected that pupils will use a range of techniques and processes and be prepared to take risks. Towards the end of the first year, students will work on more personal, independently identified themes and have more freedom to develop their own strengths and interests further. Students will also start the 'personal study ', which is an extended essay of between 1000 and 3000 words linked to the students' practical work.
Year 2
In semester 1 of year 2, students will finish their practical work and written personal study. After the winter holiday, students will begin preparation for their component 2; the 'externally set assignment' (ESA), which is an examination paper set by Pearson Edexcel. The ESA is a practical examination which requires students to produce preparatory studies in response to the examination paper theme and then produce a final outcome in a 15-hour practical examination in April.
Students must submit and pass both components to achieve the A Level.
What the course leads to
A Level Art and Design courses are recognised by universities and employers as proof of knowledge and understanding of art and design principles and practice. There are many careers for which art and design will be essential, such as careers in graphic design, fashion design, architecture, fine art, interior design, textile design and many others.
Course Assessment
The course is internally assessed and externally moderated by Pearson Edexcel via a student e: portfolio. The assessment weightings are:
Component 1: 60% of the final grade
Component 2: 40% of the final grade
Opportunities for Enrichment
The art department studios are open to art students under supervision during lunchtimes, as well as by appointment after school. Support is also provided to Year 13 pupils in the completion of portfolios for university and art college applications. Current CCAs include portfolio reviews and the Parson's challenge. Students can also choose an additional 'art portfolio' as part of their timetable. Art portfolio is additional studio time with support from one of the art teachers where students can work on their university application portfolio and/or their A Level portfolios. The academic year culminates with a high-profile exhibition of some of the year's best work and a professionally printed exhibition catalogue.
DHSZ x Marquette University Explorer college credit add-on
Visual Arts students can encompass one of the Marquette courses 'FYE 150A: Digital 2D or FYE 1 10: Visual Language' alongside their regular classwork, qualifying for 3 college credits from Marquette University. Assessment is through a variety of visual art tasks, including problem-solving and application of creative ideas and research, supported with the use of a sketchbook. Additionally, assessment also has a focus on work presentation and safe and responsible working practices within the studio.
