Page 21 - Sixth Form Courses 2026-2028

A LEVEL
ART AND DESIGN (FINE ART)

OVERVIEW If you enjoyed GCSE Art & Design then you are undoubtedly going to find A level an
absolute delight. You will acquire a wonderful insight into the techniques and
processes of professional artists and be inspired to respond in your own way. You
will embark on a journey of discovery of art and culture, often globally inspired.

APPROACH The subject is practically based and a wide range of media are available for you to
embrace; such as drawing, printing, printmaking and photography, as well as a more
in-depth research and analysis of artists and their work. There is an additional
written element which becomes much more significant during the second year of
the course, when a journal or essay is required.
The range of subject matter you will follow is extensive and where a thematic
response is the preferred option, you can draw from your own interests, whether
they be social, moral, political or simply portraits or landscapes. You will be
provided with all the necessary materials such as paints, acrylic, watercolour, inks,
oil pastels, charcoal etc, to foster an interdisciplinary approach to your work. There
is a strong tradition of drawing at Millfield and there will be an opportunity to
attend life drawing classes during the course.
This course offers the opportunity to explore and experiment with a wide range of
drawing, painting and printmaking materials, techniques and practical skills.
Developmental work is produced in personal sketchbooks exploring meanings,
messages and ideas. This includes the study of, and annotated analysis of other
artists’ work and art movements, against which you will set your own ideas in
context. Your imagination and enthusiasm for visual language is paramount, and
your final outcomes should demonstrate your individual strengths and interests.

COURSE OUTLINE The first year starts with teacher led workshops designed to develop your skills,
before exploring strategies for the development of your own personal project. The A
level has two components:
Component 1: Personal Investigation. This is a coursework project with a substantial
written element (1000-3000 words) that is required to support the practical study.
Component 2: the Externally Set Assignment is 15 hours long and provides the
opportunity for you to respond in your own way to one of a number of themes set
by the exam board.
Coursework carries 60% of the total mark, and the Externally Set Assignment the
other 40%.
Assessment of ongoing work takes place every half-term, by course tutors. Final
work is marked internally at the end of each summer term, and a sample is
moderated by the exam board. Assessment of both components is at the end of the
Upper Sixth after the full two years of study and leads to the award of an A level.

FURTHER INFORMATION Fine Art can be matched with a range of other A level subjects. If you plan to pursue
Art into Higher Education, you would normally have to follow a one year foundation
course before proceeding to a degree course. Our students have successfully gained
places at all the leading universities, with some achieving international fame for
their work in this field.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS A minimum of 30 points from the student’s best six GCSE/IGCSE/BTEC (or
equivalent) courses. Experience of an art & design based GCSE subject is highly
desirable and/or evidence of an art & design portfolio is required. Ability to work
independently. A grade 6 (B) in Art is desirable.

EXAM BOARD AND 7202
SPECIFICATION https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/art-and-design/specifications/
AQA-ART-A-LEVEL-SP-2015.PDF

CONTACT Head of Art and Photography
Miss H Pascoe
pascoe.h@millfieldschool.com

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