Students at GCSE often exceed their target grades and continue to develop their strengths at Bridgewater Sixth Form following the AQA A Level specification in Art, Craft & Design (Course 7241, 7201).
Working in small groups developing personal interests and areas of strength, students follow the specification which runs in a similar way to GCSE Art. At A Level, sketchbook investigations are a crucial part of the success of the course and students are encouraged to develop a personal working style under specialist teacher knowledge and expertise. Over the two year course, students develop a personal investigation into a topic of their choice where the emphasis lies quite strongly on both observational and experimental skills. The course allows individuals to develop their own opinions within the written investigation which supports the practical aspect.
Assessment takes the form of an Ongoing Portfolio (Component 1) which accounts for 50% of the final grade and the Externally Set Assignment (50% of the final grade).
Students have eight dedicated sessions to Art spread over a two-week timetable. Extension tasks and extra-curricular life encourages students to get involved with whole school art initiatives and provide a support network for the younger aspiring artists. At the same time, students are encouraged to use their own studio space to work independently outside of timetabled lessons.
Art is a popular A Level which allows for further study in a range of subjects such as Advertising, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, Architecture, Costume Design, Theatre and Set Design, Photography and Film, Journalism, and Marketing.
