Art

Subject Lead for Art: Ms Helen Haworth

Helen.Haworth@wyeschool.org.uk

Art & Design by Ms Helen Haworth

I have always been fascinated by the way art can take hold of your emotions. How it can stop you in your tracks, encourage you to think and to question the world around you. I am a lover of colour and a sucker for textural details, I cannot help but explore them and still love to draw every day. My love of art saw me explore a range of disciplines before going on to study a degree in Fashion and Textiles. Studying art, in any form, not only gifts you with the freedom of expression, but also fosters a host of critical and analytical skills that can be transferred to other areas of life. Artists are creative, they are problem solvers who can use their voice to effect change.

Why Study Art & Design?

The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of the nature of visual thinking and its appropriate language and potential in 21st century creativity. As such, Art and Design is widely recognised as valuable preparation if you are considering a career in the creative industries (e.g., Fine Art, Architecture, Textile Design, or Game Art Design). It will also enrich your appreciation of the world around you. The course includes a variety of different materials, media, and techniques as well as chances to make more personal choices about these.

Course Description

In Year 12 you will explore a variety of materials, media, and techniques through one off lessons and project work with links to a variety of artists.  There will be a written component which will help contextualise the practical elements of the course. This will total around 1,000 words and can be spread across more than one project and include sketchbook annotation.  Students will also experience a Mock Exam style project, giving students the opportunity to work more independently and allowing them to go through the process of this before the real exam in Year 13.  Within this they will look at a variety of artists and show understanding of their work and how this influences their own practice. 

In term 6 of Year 12, students will begin their Personal Investigation into an idea, issue, concept, or theme that is supported by written material.  The written work will be a continuous piece of prose between 1,000-3,000 words that supports the project.  This will then lead to a finished outcome or series of related finished outcomes.  The Investigation will continue to run into Year 13 and the deadline for this will be towards the end of January. 

Following this, on the 1 February (or as soon after that date as possible), the A level exam paper is released, and students begin their Externally Set Assignment.  They will have the option of 8 starting points and students are required to select one and make a project in response to that starting point.  Approximately 8 weeks after this, will be their exam where student have 15 hours across 3 days in which they must produce a finished outcome or series of related finished outcomes, informed by their preparatory work.

During your course you will be advised on how to build a portfolio of artwork suitable for entry to a one-year pre-degree Foundation Diploma course in Art and Design or a university degree.

Beyond A Level

The degree courses and careers associated with the Art and Design A level are substantial and varied. A selected list would include fine art, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, interior architecture, environmental and interior design, art history, animation, games design, game art(computer games), alternative media, scenography, industrial design, theatre design, graphic design, product design, constructed textiles, dyed textiles, printed textiles, fine art textiles, fashion, film-based photography, digital photography, film and video production, media and advertising, illustration, typography, installation and interactive media. Students are free to develop their own interests within this course.

Entry Requirements

The best foundation for success in Art is a grade 6 minimum in an Art and Design related course.

Technical Details

Exam Board: AQA

Qualification Type: A Level

Course Title: Art and Design (Fine Art)

Specification Code: 7202

External Exams (end of Year 13): 1 exam, 15h over 3 days, 40% of course

Coursework: Throughout Year 12 and 13, 60% of course

Link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/as-and-a-level/art-and-design