Art and Design
Exam Board - AQA
Course Content
This course takes an adventurous and an enquiring approach to art and design. Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of past and contemporary art and design practice and be able to produce artwork that embraces a range of ideas. The course is structured on two units for the full A-level certificate. The first term of Year 12 will act as a period to develop skill base and be challenged with media and briefs that may fall outside of the students comfort zone, ultimately encouraging progress, confidence and higher level thinking. The final two terms of Year 12 see students begin their personal investigations (Component 1). This supports students in developing their individual style and beneficially provides a slightly longer time period to decide on a personal focus. Sketchbook, mount boards and final pieces are completed over the year that will be submitted for the A-Level coursework unit.
Year 12 |
First year of A-level course |
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ART, CRAFT & DESIGN |
GRAPHICS |
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Component 1(Most of the work completed will be submitted towards the 60% of A- level) |
Coursework |
1 (or more) sketch bookA1/A2 Mount boardsStudies experimenting with different materials and techniques such as painterly, photographic, sculptural and print.3 or more resolved pieces across a range of media. |
1 (or more) sketch book A1/A2 Mount boards Studies experimenting with different materials and techniques such as Photoshop, Illustrator, gouache paint, Ink work, photographic and print.3 or more resolved pieces across a range of media. |
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Component 1 |
Teacher set examinationperiod |
Pupils responding to centre set theme 10 hour test piece 2 resolved pieces, 1 in test time |
Year 12 Component 1 (Teacher set exam period) - Pupils respond to chosen personal theme.10 hour test piece2 resolved pieces, 1 in test time |
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Year 13 |
A-level |
Component 160% of A-level |
Coursework - CriticalInvestigation |
Study of a chosen area with practical outcomes.1 written response in either book, folder or typed in essay format that supports a personal project documented in 1 or 2 sketchbooks – minimum of 1000 words. 3 or more resolved pieces. |
Study of a chosen area with practical outcomes.1 written response in either book, folder or typed in essay format that supports a personal project documented in 1 or 2 sketchbooks – minimum of 1000 words. 3 or more resolved pieces. |
Component 240% of A-level |
Examination/Work |
Externally set theme 15 hour test piece 3 resolved pieces, 1 in test time |
Externally set theme 15 hour test piece 3 resolved pieces, 1 in testTime all presented on A1 boards |
Methods of Assessment
Year 12 Component 1 will be internally set and marked, with staff assessing outcomes against national standards for the examination board; this will result in a department awarded grade. Year 13 Component 1 will be internally set and marked, then externally moderated. Year 13 Component 2 is externally set, internally marked and externally moderated.
In May/early June of each course year, students will need to present units for internal (Yr12) or external (Yr13) moderation. This will take the form of an exhibition. Each student will be allocated one or two panels of display screen and a table.
Both components must be submitted for Year 12 and both components for the A-level. (The exam piece and supporting work and the complete coursework units).
Assessment is based on the ability to:
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Develop ideas through sustained investigations and exploration
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Analyse and evaluate critically, showing understanding of purpose meanings and contexts
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Record in an appropriate manner
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Present a resolved response which realises intentions