FINE ART

AS/A2 LEVEL
This course is for those students who have strong drawing skills and are interested in developing their own personal work, which is strongly related to ideas and developing high levels of skill in painting, drawing and sculpture. Opportunities will be given to study life drawing (compulsory) and painting, which is essential for developing the visual and practical skills needed by Fine Art students. Students will also study the formal elements of visual studies in landscape, still-life, figurative and abstract art. Knowledge of the work of other artists is developed through critical and contextual studies, which is integrated as part of practical work. There will also be opportunities to develop fine art ideas through new media, such as Photoshop CS3.

Entry requirements
Students should have minimum of grade C at GCSE in any art subject. However, if students have not reached this level and can demonstrate by portfolio that they have the potential to cope with A level work, they will be given a probationary period on the course to prove their abilities.

What areas are covered by the course?
The course consists of 4 units of work, 1 (art & design coursework) & 2 (art & design externally set assignment) at AS level and 3 (art & design coursework) &4 (art & design externally set assignment) at A2 level.

How is it assessed?
The externally set assignment culminates in an examination at the end of each level, 8 hours at AS and 12 hours at A2. All coursework and final examination pieces are internally marked and externally moderated and all marking is based upon 4 assessment objectives, which students work to during the course. These are equally weighted at 25% each. Examinations take place in May.

How is the course assessed?
At AS and A2 assessment is by open book external examination and coursework. You will also be asked to keep a Reading Journal. Subject Specific Activities There is also an annual art trip to London (or abroad) each year to visit art galleries and events to support coursework, as well as regular gallery visits in the local area.

Progression/Career Opportunities
Students often progress to art foundation courses and then degree courses, although many apply directly for degrees and specialise in many areas from graphics to sculpture and history of art.

CERAMICS

AS/A2 LEVEL
This course is primarily an art based course that encompasses every aspect of expressive drawing and design. Its main focus however revolves around creating and making structures out of clay. All students are encouraged to develop and explore their skills creatively in the Fine Art elements through expressive and personal projects that are suited to their needs. Students are expected to have a mature and independent approach to their work and should be capable of personal research through drawings, designs, critical analysis and varied 3D making skills.

Entry requirements
Students are expected to have gained at least a C grade at GCSE to meet entry requirements.
A portfolio of work could also be submitted for approval if entry requirements are not met.

How is the course taught?
Projects can be tailored to meet student creative requirements. Students will be taught all aspects of: Expressive drawing, Creative design skills, Critical analysis and thinking skills, All aspects of building and making skills in 3D.

What areas are covered by the course?
Drawing, Painting, Design, Critical analysis, Coil building, Slab building, Sculpture, Wheel thrown forms, Glazing techniques, Raku firing techniques.

How is the course assessed?
There will be 2 units of work each year. Projects are continually assessed by the teacher. One major project is a requirement. This could be split into smaller projects revolving around a similar theme. One exam unit is set by the examination board. All work is assessed and graded by the teacher initially and is then moderated towards the end of the year by an outside examiner.

Progression/Career opportunities
In the past 20 years the creative industries world wide has created more jobs and revenue than any other. Many establishments now look for creative individuals who have that independent and inquisitive nature that make the difference. We instil that in all of our art students and find that they are well equipped for university and all aspects of their professional life.

ART TEXTILES

AS/A2 LEVEL
The course is for those who wish to follow a specialised programme in Textiles. Collecting visual inspiration, analysing and evaluating work of artists, learning, improving skills and techniques are developed to create textile art work.

Entry Requirements
Prospective students need not have a specialised knowledge of textiles to apply, however it is advisable for anyone interested in pursuing the course to have G.C.S.E. Art & Design at grade C or above.

How is the course taught?
The first stage of the programme deals with evolving and expanding visual vocabulary that can feed into a range of textile outcomes. This includes drawing, painting, mixed media, constructed textiles and printing. The second year of the Textiles course is about personal development as a visual artist within the fine art/textiles/mixed media context. Students will be introduced to new and familiar media as vehicles to express personal ideas and images. Contextual studies and research skills are an integral part of the programme. Students undertake relevant research that feeds into studio practice which includes felt making and papermaking. In addition to these students also study stitching and hand/machine embroidery as well as how to dye, print and paint surfaces.

How is the course assessed?
AS level - Two units - The first unit of course work is assessed internally, the second unit of work is an externally set examination. This is the same for A level.

Progression/Career opportunities
You can go to Art College or University or study on a vocational course e.g. Higher National Diplomas. Alternatively, you could choose to enter employment such as Advertising and Marketing, Antiques dealer, Arts administrator, Art Gallery work, Art therapist, Ceramics design, Costume design, Fashion designer, Film/TV/Video director, Fine artist, Florist, Graphic designer, Hairdresser, Interior designer and Textile design.

PHOTOGRAPHY

AS/A2 LEVEL
It is an Art centred subject and there is little focus on the scientific sides of photography.

Entry Requirements
There are no specific qualifications for the photography course although an ‘artistic eye’ is an advantage. Due to the nature of the course, we ask for a fee of £30 per year to cover some of the costs of film, chemicals, paper, photocopies and sketchbooks.

How is the course taught?
The subject is a mix of the practical – darkroom and digital – and written critical studies and self evaluation. It is expected that few students will have experienced photography at examination level and most see the subject as an opportunity to express themselves in an art form where drawing skills are at a minimum. Students will consider a range of topics but broadly based around landscape, portrait and natural forms studies. Some may choose to make use of the video facilities and there is development into Graphic Design where students may be asked to produce book and CD covers. Film and digital cameras are both available and monochrome darkroom work is an essential part of the course. There is a dedicated photography ICT suite, with the latest version of Adobe Photoshop available on all computers along with a high quality OCE printer/photocopier.

What areas are covered by the course?
There are two units in each year, one coursework and a similar examination unit. Students will produce at least one A0 size sheet of their best work plus workbooks which contain the vast outcomes of their studies.

How is the course assessed?
The examination unit is a Board Set question; researched, developed and completed within a time scale of two and half calendar months. The work is moderated internally with marks in eight different areas of study and a selection of students’ work is externally moderated for standardisation.

Progression/Career Opportunities
The course is extremely popular and numbers are limited. A number of students have continued their studies onto degree level, direct entry onto Photography and contemporary photographic courses.

Graphic Design

AS/A2 LEVEL
This course is designed to provide a specialist programme of study that covers the key knowledge and practical skills required to progress in the field of Graphic Design.

Students will study disciplines such as advertising, illustration, packaging design, typography, website design, desk top publishing and animation. Students will have contact with the existing Photography department and have access to state of the art computers and the Adobe CS package which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and In Design. The department has a number of graphics tablets, essential tools for Graphic Designers and high quality digital SLR cameras that can be used by students on a sign – out basis. We have a very high quality printer/copier which provides excellent quality, industry standard prints perfectly suited to the quality required for Graphic Design presentation.

Entrry Requirements
Students should have minimum of grade C at GCSE in any art subject.

What areas are covered by the course?
The course consists of 4 units of work, one coursework and one externally set assignment at AS level and one coursework and one externally set assignment at A2 level. The coursework units will be separated into smaller projects covering a range of Graphic Design skills including Design for Advertising and Digital Illustration.

How is it assessed?
The course will be taught by Graphic Design and Photography specialists. The externally set assignment culminates in an examination at the end of each level.  All coursework and final examination pieces are internally marked and externally moderated. All marking is based upon 4 assessment objectives, which students work to during the course. These are equally weighted at 25% each. Examinations take place in May.

Subject Specific Activities
There will be opportunities to work with professional Graphic Designers and students will visit design firms in the local area. There is an annual trip to New York City for Graphic Design and Photography students.

Progression / Career Opportunities
Students often progress to art foundation courses and then degree courses, although many students apply directly to universities for degree courses. The nature of the course provides the perfect foundation for progression into a career in Graphic Design, one of the most popular and modern forms of art and design in the world today.