Art, Craft and Design

Throughout this course there is a strong emphasis on the teaching of creative, contemporary drawing skills and developing underpinning research skills. You are encouraged to explore and experiment through a wide range of Art and Design media. You will explore traditional drawing and painting skills whilst also being introduced to working with a very multimedia approach; from drawing with a sewing machine and wire, to print based materials. Observational drawing and recording skills are very important and encouraged throughout the course. This is a linear qualification, which means that students must complete all assessments at the end of the course.

This course is vital if you wish to study for an Art and Design related subject at Higher Education (HE) level. This programme will encourage all students to develop: intellectual, imaginative, creative skills; investigate analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement; independence of mind in relation to developing their own ideas, refining their own intentions and personal outcomes; an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art and design; the experience of working with a broad range of media, including traditional and new media and technologies.

This highly creative and successful course aims to give you the confidence and skills to explore a diverse range of themes and to develop a questioning and analytical attitude.

Many students progress onto a BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, and then through to a variety of high profile BA (Hons) Art and Design degree courses, including Fine Art, Contemporary Crafts, Illustration, Printed Textiles etc. Alternatively, many students have progressed directly onto a variety of degree courses at HE institutions, for a range of programmes including Architecture, English Literature, Art Therapy, etc.

Assessment

There is synoptic assessment in both components of the A Level that provide stretch and challenge opportunities for students as follows:

Component 1: Personal Investigation—60% of the A Level

Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words which supports the practical work.

This is a non-exam assessment (NEA) set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre, which will normally take place in June.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (ESA)—40% of the A Level

Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.

This is a non-exam assessment (NEA) set by AQA, marked by the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre, which will normally take place in June.