Key Stage 5
Art and Design Advanced Level
Qualifications: GCE A Level or GCE AS Level
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements: Grade B or above in GCSE Art. (If you haven’t studied GCSE Art, you will need to attend an interview and submit a portfolio of work).
Overview
If you have enjoyed GCSE Art and Design and you wish to extend your learning in the subject, you will find A Level Art and Design a stimulating and rewarding option. The Art and Design course is underpinned throughout with a strong emphasis on continuing to develop key skills and knowledge and understanding of other artists. In Year 12, a series of Art History lectures ensure that all students’ work has a strong theoretical underpinning. Sixth Form students studying A Level Art and Design are encouraged to work in the widest variety of materials and techniques.
A Level Art and Design provides opportunities for personal expression encourages imagination, sensitivity, conceptual thinking, and powers of observation, analytical abilities and practically orientated attitudes.
What will I learn?
The A Level Art and Design course is very flexible. It meets the needs of students who wish to specialise in Fine Art, as well as those who wish to pursue a more general course involving a range of media. All students will have the opportunity to engage in painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography and mixed media options. The department is very well resourced and equipped. There are opportunities to use a variety of facilities, including a photographic dark room and a suite of computers. Students also have the opportunity to attend weekly life drawing classes.
How will I learn?
Students are guided through a structured course, developing independent thinking skills. While starting points in projects may be shared, the course allows students to develop a great degree of autonomy and individual direction within their work.
We are keen to integrate opportunities for our students to exhibit their work alongside professional artists in a public gallery. The Ariel Centre is a fantastic Art Gallery on site with a rolling programme of public events, showcasing our students’ work as well as local and international artists’ work. Students also have exciting opportunities to visit galleries around the world. Recent trips have included London, New York Metropolitan Museum and Tuscany, where students visited galleries in Sienna and Florence.
Where could it lead?
There are many routes for students studying Art and Design. The last twenty years has seen an expansion in design related industries and a wide range of degree level courses have been developed to service this sector. The usual route after A Level is to take a one-year Foundation course, although some students have progressed straight onto degree courses. We are proud that our Post 16 students can progress onto the successful Foundation course which is also sited at Kennicott. The high level of achievement among our students has recently been recognised by University College Falmouth with whom we are now working in partnership.
Contact
Tim Wightman: Faculty Leader for Creative Arts twightman@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk
Art and Design BTEC Level 3 Diploma
Qualifications: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design
Exam Board: Edexcel
Entry Requirements: GCSE at grade A*- Art and Design, D&T Graphics or D&T Product Design and English Language or Literature. Alternatively you must have A Level 2 Diploma in an Art and Design related subject, or an equivalent qualification and Level 2 Key Skills (Communication).
Overview
If you are a creative, innovative and inquisitive person who enjoys creating and responding to new challenges, briefs and projects, then this course offers you a diverse and exciting range of opportunities and experiences in Art and Design. This is a vocational art and design course which will enable you to explore a variety of disciplines and develop your skills. The course will also help you to identify which area you may like to pursue as a career. The subjects taught include fine art (drawing, painting and printmaking), 3D design, photography, graphic design, community art, sculpture and associated computer software. The programme is for students looking to pursue a career in art and design. It is ideal for those who want to experience a broad range of areas before progressing onto the Art Foundation course and specialising at university. The course allows you to undertake extension specialist units in the field you to want follow in higher education level or as a career.
What will I learn?
The Subsidiary Diploma consists of four mandatory units:
- Visual Recording in Art and Design
- Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design
- Ideas and Concepts in Art and Design
- Communication Through Art and Design
There are also specialist units from which you choose, including:
- Graphic Design
- 3D Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Fine Art
You will complete a total of nine units to achieve the Subsidiary Diploma which will take one year. Those who do well and wish to progress onto the second year will complete a further three units to achieve the Diploma, or a further nine to achieve the Extended Diploma.
How will I learn?
The programme is practically based and develops your art and design skills and personal style, whilst enabling you to develop a portfolio of your work. The course also provides opportunities in career planning. The evidence based nature of the projects enables you to build up your skills, experiences and knowledge over an extended period of time, allowing you to develop at a much higher level. Where possible, projects are run in conjunction with practising artists, designers, industrial partners and community based clients and stakeholders.
Where could it lead?
A BTEC Level 3 in Art & Design offers progression into a broad and diverse range of creative industries and practices. Many students will extend their Art & Design experience by completing at Foundation Art & Design course prior to Higher Education. Other students can further their studies at university at degree level in related courses. Specialisms which students progress on to include, architecture, sustainable design, illustration, product design, photography, fine art, sculpture, interior design, multi-media design and structural packaging.
Contact
Tim Wightman: Faculty Leader for Creative Arts twightman@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk
Art and Design BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Foundation Studies
Qualifications: Level 4 BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design)
Exam Board: Edexcel
Entry Requirements: At least 3 GCSEs at grade C or above including English plus an A Level qualification in Art or Textiles or Photography OR a BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma in a practical art subject OR an IB qualification. Mature students will be considered without formal qualifications if their skills are of an equivalent level.
All students must attend an interview with a portfolio of work demonstrating the ability and commitment to complete a course at this level.
Overview
The Totnes Art & Design Foundation Course is an intensive one year full-time programme that delivers a thorough grounding in the basic principles of art and design.
The course’s main aim is to secure its students a place on an undergraduate degree in an art or design discipline. The vast majority of the students on the Totnes course progress to the top art schools in the UK including 50% going on to University College Falmouth and the University of the Arts, London.
Students are entered for the Edexcel Level 4 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and the Edexcel GCE Advanced Subsidiary in Critical & Contextual Studies in Art. This allows the course a very favourable staff-student ratio, with the full-time students receiving five full days teaching per week.
What will I learn?
The introductory stage of the course emphasises the central importance of drawing and an understanding of the ‘Formal Elements’. At the same time students undertake workshops in painting, printmaking, 3-D, photography, book arts and fashion and textiles. This is further supported by a lecture and film programme.
In the middle stage of the course students produce a specialist portfolio and apply for degree courses.
The last stage of the course consists of the production of a Final Major Project which culminates in a professional standard Summer Exhibition open to the public.
How will I learn?
Each student has their own dedicated studio space within the purpose equipped Foundation Studios at Kennicott.
Where could it lead?
Please visit our website for examples of student work, staff profiles, university progression lists, an application form and funding information at foundationart.kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk
Contact Bruce Timson: Art Foundation Course Leader btimson@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk
Photography Advanced Level
Qualifications: GCE A Level or GCE AS Level
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements: Grade B or above in GCSE Art. (If you haven’t studied GCSE Art, you will need to attend an interview and submit a portfolio of work).
Overview
A Level Photography incorporates digital and black and white film based photography. We use Photoshop as our principle software. Photography is a popular course. We are looking for students who can show creativity, imagination, commitment and a willingness to understand the technical aspects of the subject.
What will I learn?
Students are given the opportunity to undertake pin hole photography, creative photograms, learn darkroom skills, use digital and film SLR cameras and Photoshop elements. You will explore photography in a creative and personal way, creating studio based work as well as exploring their community and wider environment. Gaining an understanding of photography’s place within the history of art and knowledge of genres and photographers is an important part of the course and extends research and analytical skills.
How will I learn?
Students are guided through a structured course, giving the skills to become independent thinkers. While starting points in projects might be shared, the course allows students to develop a degree of autonomy and individual direction within their work.
During the course, students have the opportunity to visit major exhibitions of contemporary photography. They are also encouraged to visit local photography exhibitions independently. We also invite photographers and specialist practitioners to lead workshops and talk about their professional experience. Students have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the College’s gallery.
You need to be self-motivated as you will have to take some of your photographs out of school time and travel to interesting locations. You also need to be committed to the subject as during the first term many new skills have to be learnt. There is a written element in this course. You will have to annotate your work and analyse photographs. You will also research and write about different genres, photographers and art movements. Students who choose to study Photography will need a 35 mm single lens reflex manual camera and have access to a digital camera. They will be expected to purchase film, paper and other materials during the course.
Where could it lead?
Universities offer a variety of photography courses, ranging from documentary photography to fine art photography. An A Level in Photography can also be advantage to students wishing to follow media related courses such as journalism and film courses.
Contact
Tim Wightman: Faculty Leader for Creative Arts twightman@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk