Art & Design
The way ahead at 14
If you study Art and Design, you will take a broad course which includes drawing,
painting, three-dimensional work, graphic design, print making, textile work and critical studies.
You will be encouraged to develop your own visual ideas and to try out different
techniques in a variety of materials during the first one and a half years of the course. There are two units of study: Unit 1 is the ‘Portfolio’ unit, which comprises coursework carried out throughout Year 10 and the Autumn term of Year 11. After Christmas in Year 11, you will embark upon Unit 2, which is the ‘External set task’, which will elicit a personal response from one starting point from the exam board booklet, released on 1st January. This will be assessed through work produced over a period of 10 hours in March.
The History of Art and Critical Studies are built-in parts of the course and you will be
expected to look critically at the work of others and to relate it to your own work whenever possible. Visits are arranged to galleries and places of artistic interest.
GCSE Art and Design will suit anyone who likes doing practical work, likes bringing form to their ideas and who would like to further develop their drawing skills. It is an exciting course because it depends on the interests of the students involved and results in exhibitions of original work around our Academy.
Directions at 16
At 'A' level we offer two courses:
1) Fine Art
2) Textiles
In many ways these courses mirror the GCSE course structure, but more in-depth. The Art & Design staff use their specialist subject skills to tutor students. In both courses you will be expected to produce an exhibition as part of your assessment.
Routes after Post 16
These fall into the three main areas: University, College of Art or employment. The number of jobs or careers which stem from studying Art and Design is vast but include careers in Visual Communications, TV/Film, Photography, 3Design/Theatre Crafts, Fine Art and Design and Textiles/Fashion.
Please contact Mr Lightfoot for further information.