Exam Board
Additional Entry Requirements
5 in Mathematics required
5 in English Language required
6 in Art required (if taken at GCSE)
NB. Electronic portfolio of work required to judge suitability if Art not being taken at GCSE
Course Content
Why art & design?
- We have a highly experienced team of teachers with a range of disciplines including ceramics, 3D design, printmaking, textiles, photography and painting.
- We have an incredibly well-resourced department – we have a kiln, printing presses, sewing machines, a dark room and our very own art library with a suite of computers
- We make the most of some of the best galleries in the world on our art trips – Recently we have been to Tate Modern, The Courtauld, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Academy and The Wallace Collection
- We have workshops by practicing artists with very exciting specialisms to broaden the skills development of our students
- We invite in colleagues from HE institutions to support our art students in making their next steps and have an outstanding record of getting students onto the UAL (Central St Martins) art foundation course
- We help students build their portfolios and successfully gain places directly onto degree courses including architecture, game design, fine art, illustration and textiles
- More than 50% of our art students progress onto creative courses such as architecture, history of art, animation, and art and design foundation. This includes institutions such as Cambridge, UCL (the Bartlett School of Architecture), the Courtauld Institute of Art, Central Saint Martins and many others.
- We help our students become brilliant artists!
Course content
We begin with a workshop phase where we teach all the foundation skills and techniques that will allow students to make well executed artwork in a wide range of disciplines. Students then choose their own Personal Investigation theme and are taught individually throughout the rest of the course. The final part of the course is an exam. AQA give a range of themes for students to choose from, working towards a final 15 hour exam that takes place over 3 days at the end of the course.
How the A level is assessed
The course is 60% coursework (including a 1000-3000 word written element) and 40% art exam.
You will have individual feedback from your teachers in every lesson as well as written formative feedback at timely intervals.
What our students say about studying art
"Art at Woodhouse allowed me to express myself and let my imagination run wild. I had fun creating artwork with friends that I made for life" Helen
“There’s lots of consideration given to the curriculum – starting with fundamentals and skills building, becoming more independent as the year progresses.” Sylvie
“The freedom that students have within the subject and the encouragement to create art that interests you is amazing.” Evan
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the headings below.
Can I take art A level if I didn’t study it at GCSE?
If you are applying for a place at Woodhouse College to study Art and you didn’t take Art and Design at GCSE you will need to submit examples of your work to the art department.
Your Art Work:
We would like to see examples of your work that will show us that you could cope with the course and more importantly, that the course is the right one for you.
We are looking for:
- Observational drawings from objects (not copies from books or other images) in any medium.
- Some examples of artwork that you like with some writing to explain your choices.
- Enthusiasm for Art!
Tip: when drawing, try to find objects which interest you and that have enough lines or shapes to challenge you.
When you apply, you will be asked to submit some artwork that can be shown to the art department.A decision will be made on viewing this as to your suitability for the course, but the department do not have any influence on whether or not you are offered a place at Woodhouse.
Can I take photography as a separate A level?
No, but we use photography constantly throughout the course as a means to record ideas and relevant source material, for use in collage and other mixed media work. Students have access to photoshop and drawing tablets and there is an extracurricular photography course involving the dark room (covid permitting).
I want to do graphic design at university but you don’t do a separate graphics course, should I take the A level?
Our course is fine art based and therefore you would have to think carefully about the type of work you enjoy and whether this would suit you. However, many of our students do go on to study Graphic Design at university or Art college using portfolios produced from their A level work.
What art resources do you have?
Students are taught in two, very well equipped art studios - stocked with an enormous selection of high quality drawing, painting, printing and textiles media.
There is also:
- a 3D and ceramics area with a kiln
- a fully functioning photographic darkroom.
- a dedicated art library stocked with 1000's of art books and magazines
- a suite of art computers equipped with photoshop.
- a large scale digital printer, colour photocopier and screen printing exposure unit.
MIA
Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls
"In lessons, teachers allow you to work independently and do your own thing at the same time as giving incredible help and advice. Art lessons are never boring! At Woodhouse, you get to try out loads of new media and techniques which really broaden your art skills.
I came to Woodhouse to experience what it's like to have more independence - it is like a steppingstone between secondary school and the real world/university, and I think this is really helpful. But teachers here still offer so much support and motivation. There will always be someone to turn to if you have any problems and everyone is so friendly.
As you are only surrounded with people the same age as you, I feel like you are encouraged to mature and shape your own identity.
I have always loved art and my experience at Woodhouse has made me want to study Fine Art at university."
LUCY
East Barnet School
"I enjoy the variety and excitement of my art lessons. My teachers are passionate about guiding me in my project, and I am grateful to have so much creative freedom.
I chose to study art because I love expressing my ideas creatively and bringing together ideas into a final piece. I am applying for art foundation and can definitely see myself pursuing a career in the creative industry.
I chose to come to Woodhouse because I felt that a new environment would challenge me and present opportunities (socially and academically) that my secondary school couldn’t.
I like the independent, friendly atmosphere and feel supported and encouraged in my A levels and future prospects.
I have made meaningful friendships and grown as a person at Woodhouse."