Art & Design  (AS and A2 Level)

Course aims
Advanced Supplementary (AS) and A Level Art (A2) is intended to form part of an Educational continuum which progresses naturally from GCSE and is intended to meet the needs of the following groups of candidates.

(i) those who will undertake further studies in Art and Design
(ii) those who will study subjects or take up careers for which an Art and Design background is relevant. (iii) those, who whilst having interest and aptitude in the subject, are not intending to study beyond Advanced Level.

Course content
This syllabus has been devised to provide two forms of Certification - endorsed Fine Art, AS and A2 Level. The AS Level is made up of two units and an eight hour exam at the end of the I st year. The student can then continue into the second year and complete another two units and an exam of twelve hours to complete the A Level.

BASIC ELEMENTS	PROCESSES & PROCEDURES	PRACTICES
Line Shape Form Colour Tone Pattern Texture	Project-based thematic enquiry and response Sequential development of ideas, study and practice Expressive response, unrestricted exploration and development Structured discussion, critical appraisal and analysis Visual research, analysis, observation and recording	Drawing Painting and Collage Printmaking Graphic Design using ICT Textile Design Fabric Woven and Knitted Three-dimensional Studies Critical and Historical Studies Photography, Film and Video

The Convent of Jesus and Mary Art Department offer the following endorsed titles:-

Fine Art AS and A2 Level.

Fine Art includes painting in oils. acrylic and watercolour, sculpture. using clay, printmaking and ICT work with Adobe Photoshop.

Summary of exam requirements

AS Level Fine Art

Unit 1 – Coursework: The Human Condition, which will reflect their other AS Studies

Unit 2 - Externally Assessed Assignment (Exam)
The exam is the realization of a six week preparatory period of practical project working an 8 hour timed final piece. The question paper is externally set. You will be given a theme, and then you will develop your own ideas to produce your final piece.

All units of work must include reference to the work of other artists, and the critical analysis of the ideas behind your work.

A2

Unit 3 - Contextual Study - (Art History)
The Contextual Study may take the form of a written and illustrated dissertation of 2000-3000 words or 1000 words and a tape/slide presentation, a website, an annotated display or a combination of these. The subject for the study is a personal choice for you..

Unit 4 - Externally Assessed Assignment (Exam)
This takes the same form as Unit 3, although the final exam is 12 hours. The preparation work done in the 6 week period is just as important as the final exam piece and has equal weighting.

This year the students were involved with workshops with the Wallace Collection which helped them with their coursework, collaborative work and organized visits with Cardinal Hinsley.

Commitment
Two year course - eight periods per week. Homework is an essential part of the course and is related to the preparation and development of classwork. The course includes relevant visits to Art Galleries, Exhibitions etc.

Entry requirements 5 GCSE grades at A*-C, including GCSE English also G.C.S.E Art and Design grade B