Mark Yeates : Head of Art and Design
A-Level Art, Craft and Design
Eduqas - A650QS
6 in GCSE Art
Our lives and world are rich in complex visual imagery. Studying Art and Design will give you the knowledge and skills to read and interpret visual language from a range of contexts and cultures, both contemporary and historical. As a maker of art and design, you will be part of shaping the visual language of the future, how our world looks and feels and exploring meaning and experience.
Many of the skills you will learn as an artist are transferable – creative decision making, self-discipline, reflection and collaboration are all extremely useful across a range of careers.
Creative industries are thriving in the UK. Studying Design degree Art and Design A-Level is a perfect platform for continuing onto foundation and specialist degree courses. Many of our former pupils have gone on to study and pursue careers in diverse fields such as fine art, illustration, animation, fashion, digital design, photography, graphics, illustration, textiles, interiors, architecture, theatre and film.
12 | What students will learn | How it builds on learning |
Sept - Jan | The first term of Year 12 are spent gaining skills within 4 areas of course Assessment Objectives. Each are worth 25% of final mark: AO1 Contextual understanding AO2 Creative making AO3 Reflective recording AO4 Personal Presentation Students will gain skills and understanding of the 4 assessment objectives through a series of workshop tasks.
The workshop tasks will cover the following themes and practical processes:
· Portraiture - charcoal drawing - acrylic painting - photography - dry-point printing - clay sculpture and plaster casting - comparative analysis · Figures - Drawing Oil painting · Objects and interiors - gel plate printing / collage - drawing - linocut printing - detailed analysis
| The workshop tasks will be contextualised with study and analysis of relevant examples of art in class and through independent research. Contextual understanding will be further expanded through drawing and museum trips to both Cambridge and London.
During December and the start of January, students will reflect on themes and processes covered to then produce a mini-project which culminates in a sustained focus, 5-hour exam in mid- January. This project and exam will give students a taste of ownership in creative decision making and an opportunity to revisit and expand upon processes they enjoy.
|
Feb - July | Students will split time between further workshops and beginning their ‘Personal Investigations’.
Personal Investigation projects will constitute 60% of students’ final grade and will run from this point through to January of year 13.
Students will be supported by teachers in deciding a focus for personal investigations. They will also be supported in the setting of a related title question / title that will be the starting point for a 2000 word piece of extended writing.
Workshops will cover skills and understanding in:
· Screen printing · Ceramics, oxides, glazing and firing
| Students will reflect on experiences, themes and processes explored in the first part of the course. Teachers will guide students through this, offering thorough feedback and guidance.
Students will be supported in completing a proposal for their personal investigation. A structure for learning will be provided to make sure the project is broken down into key, manageable steps.
Students will have access to marked exemplars from both exam board and across the school’s trust to further help their planning.
Workshops will provide opportunities to develop ideas in relation to personal investigations as well as expose students to new skills. |
13 | What students will learn | How it builds on learning |
Sept - Jan | Students will continue developing skills, knowledge and understanding through continuing and completing their personal investigation projects and extended writing essays.
They will be encouraged to consider and respond deeply to how art both shapes and responds to individual, community and society.
| Students will work through defined steps to complete their personal investigations, giving focus to development of ideas, embracing experimentation and realising their ideas on coherent outcomes.
Students will use the research and knowledge in contextual understanding to deepen reflections on their own creative making.
|
Feb - May | Students will further test their skills and knowledge through an externally set exam project. This project will be worth 40% of their final mark and culminate in a 15-hour exam, spread across 3 school days.
From the start of February, they will commence and complete preparatory studies in response to a choice of themes / titles set by the exam board. | Students will use skills and experience gained during their personal investigations to make astute creative decisions needed for this concise project.
|
Students will receive formative feedback throughout term 1 in response to their progress through workshops. This, and the outcomes of their mini-project and 5-hour exam day in January of Year 12, will provide the basis for summative assessment and a predicted grade that will be published to students and parents / carers in February.
The best support we hope for from parents and carers is that they take interest in, and ask questions about, the work their child produces and studies in Art. This could extend to visiting galleries and museums making discoveries with them and furthering their contextual knowledge and experiences. Access to a space for research and making at home will be a massive help to your child’s success on the course.
Students are expected to complete a minimum of 3 hours independent study per week.
Planned into the course will be inductions into using our fantastic photography studio and editing suite. You will also attend life drawing classes to help you build confidence and experience in observation and recording. We will also have guest speakers and give you the opportunity to work alongside local artists from studios such as Wysing Arts. We will run trips to local and London museums and galleries as well as an overseas trip to a European city. There will also be leadership opportunities for some interested in working collaboratively on projects with younger artists from the school.
Each subject is also part of our ‘Super-curricular’ initiative, which aims to develop your wider understanding of academic subjects and support your learning – more information can be found here.
Cambourne Sixth Form
Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne
Cambridge CB23 6FR
Tel: 01954 284000
Email: info@cambournesixthform.org
.jpg)
