Fine Art OCR
Why study Fine Art?
The Art Department at Rendcomb College is committed to offering a rich and stimulating environment in which a versatile range of Fine Art practices are taught. Students enjoy oil paint, mixed media installations, print-making, ceramics and more,while developing intellectual, imaginative and creative understanding Practical skills, critical understanding and aesthetic judgments are developed with the belief that creativity is part of a full education, fuelling independent learning and research skills for higher education.
We aim to sustain and enrich our students’ creative development by generating a dynamic and creative centre of learning. There is a combined emphasis on visual tradition and contemporary innovation, supporting you to create both quality practical and written work and establishing your own unique creative practice.
The pursuit of artistic enjoyment, achievement and excellence are the cornerstones of the Art Department’s philosophy. Central to our values is that the Art Studio remains open well beyond the timetabled day, enabling students to furtherpursue their work and ideas outside of class time.
The designated 6th Form studio space is designed to operate like an Art School studio, offering a rich and stimulating environment in which a versatile range of Art practices flourish. This is further enhanced by the international trip that we run for 6th form Art and Photography students (numbers permitting). This non-compulsory trip allows students to discover inspiring works of Art up close and in person and sketch, photograph and explore some of the cultural centres of the world that will directly contribute to their coursework projects.
Entry Requirements
We recommend that all students have been awarded at least a grade 6 (or B) at GCSE level Art. It will be expectedthat students research and record their observations in a variety of media, producing practical work and written investigations. The study of Art can be successfully combined with all subjects to enhance creative problem- solving skills, aesthetic principles, cultural awareness and self-expression.
What is Involved?
The A Level course has two units which students undertake over two years:
• Component 1 is a personal investigation whereby the individual produces a sustained investigation of artwork based on a given theme. Covering four assessment objectives, the modules contribute towards a concluding final work or works. In conjunction with the practical element, is a written ‘related study’ whichenables learners to demonstrate their ability to communicate appropriate knowledge and understanding using critical thinking and key vocabulary.
• Component 2 is an externally set task. Candidates select one starting point from a choice prescribed bythe exam board and produce preparatory work covering four assessment objectives. All the work produced will be marked as a whole, concluding in a fifteen hour examination.