Art

Art (Fine Art)

Course

Most pupils will have studied Art at GCSE level but this is not an essential requirement. More importantly, pupils should have genuine passion and a high degree of commitment to the subject.

The A level course at St Peter’s is designed to appeal and to be of benefit to those pupils who wish to apply for Art School and university courses in any of the art disciplines and architecture, as well as for those who wish to take the subject simply because they enjoy it but may not wish to take their art further than A level.

The OCR A Level Art and Design specifications are designed to encourage learners to develop skills, creativity, imagination and independence based on personal experience, taught skills and critical understanding. Learners show this through their responses to a range of stimuli. The aims and learning outcomes for these qualifications are to enable learners to develop: • Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities • Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement • Independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes • The experience of working with a broad range of media • An understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate.

Sixth Form level pupils at St Peter’s share their own studio space and will be expected to spend some of their ‘sit outs’ (free periods) in the Art School. Life Drawing Classes are held in the Christmas Term, and there are a number of day trips to galleries, and residential field trips in the Lower Sixth and to Paris in the Upper Sixth.

Component1: Portfolio (Lower Sixth)

There are two distinct elements: • A practical portfolio with supporting contextual research in response to a set theme. The portfolio may be presented in a format appropriate to the specialism and area of study chosen. • A related study using words and illustrations demonstrating the context in which their portfolio exists, exploring the relevant genre, subject matter, movement or historical framework of the selected theme.

Component 2: Critical and Contextual Study (Lower/Upper Sixth)

• Pupils can choose a starting point from any of the seven given themes for which they will generate an appropriate personal response for assessment. They will carry out preparatory work to research, plan and develop their ideas, before engaging in 15 hours of supervised time to complete their work.

Assessment (OCR)

Both units are internally assessed and externally moderated

Additional Notes

Life Class is a feature of the Art School at St Peter’s. The Life Class runs on a weekly basis between September and March and pupils will be encouraged to attend. Pupils will also be expected to visit galleries and places of cultural and creative interest in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world of art.

Group visits to major galleries and cultural sites will be built into the course.