Art

Why study Art?

• 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
• We help our students become brilliant artists!

Course overview

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 is the course assessed?

The course is 60% coursework - Component 1: Personal Investigation  (including a 1000-3000 word written element) and 40% art exam – Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

You will have individual feedback from your teachers in every lesson as well as written formative feedback at timely intervals.

1. Component 1 – Personal Investigation is marked out of 96
2. Component 2 – Externally set assignment is marked out of 96

What will I do in lessons?

Lessons are highly practical. You will be working in a broad range of materials and will build your skills in these during the workshop phase. The workshop phase involves whole class teaching and all work is directed by your teachers.

When you move on to start your Personal Investigation in the second term of year 1, you will be working completely independently and will be supported and guided by your teachers during your one to one discussions which happen in each lesson.
 

What Independent study will be expected? 

You are expected to spend 4 hours on your homework in the first year, increasing this to 5 hours in the second year. Homework is set by teachers during the Workshop phase. After this, you will decide for yourself what you produce for your homework. Independent study is an essential and integral part of the A level in art and students must ensure they keep up with this in order to achieve great results.

Exam Board

AQA

Link to specification

GCSE 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.

What A Levels go well with this one?

Students study a wide range of different A levels along with art. Students wishing to study Architecture at university will need to take maths too for most degree courses.

What can I do beyond A Levels with this subject?

Each year over 50% of our art students progress onto directly onto creative degree courses such as Architecture, History of Art, Animation, Game Design, Fashion and Illustration. Other students choose to undertake an Art Foundation course. Students gain places at institutions such as Cambridge, UCL (the Bartlett School of Architecture), the Courtauld Institute of Art, Central Saint Martins and many others.
 

Frequently asked questions

Will I have to do more homework in art than in other subjects?

No!! We expect exactly the same amount of independent learning time as other subjects expect here at Woodhouse. This is around 4 hours in the lower sixth, building to 5 hours in the upper sixth.

Will I need to buy specific materials for the course?

No, here at Woodhouse we provide you with all the basic materials you will need to do well on the course, including your sketchbooks.

Are students able to access the studios during free periods?

Yes, we welcome art students to come and work in the studios during free periods and lunchtimes.