Art & Photography

Introduction

For students with more definite ambitions towards exploring and developing a career path in the more creative industries, we offer both Art and Photography at A Level within our Sixth Form. These courses have been designed to provide the very best of platforms from which Foundation or Degree level study can be confidently embarked upon.

For either discipline, students will be expected to work in a motivated, self-directed manner, at the same time making use of Tabor’s excellently equipped studio and dark room spaces. Teachers will support and facilitate at the start of each project, then direct and steer during each stage, ensuring the best possible responses and outcomes are attained by each member of the course.

Entry requirements are rigorous and prospective students will be expected to have a high level of creativity, observational and organisational skills, and personal resolve.

Aims

To develop intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities.
To develop investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement.
To develop independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes.
To develop an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art, craft and design.
To enable the experience of working with a broad range of media.
To develop an understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate.
To develop knowledge and experience of real-world contexts and, where appropriate, links to the creative industries.
To develop the knowledge and understanding of art, craft, design and media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures.
To develop an awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art, craft and design.

Art & Photography

Overview of Curriculum

At Key Stage 5 students currently follow the AQA exam board specification in their study of A Level Art or Photography.

Students experience Art or Photography for 5 hours per week and we regularly assess throughout each project, providing feedback and one to one tutorials to facilitate further development and progress. Students will be expected to undertake regular independent learning at home and Year 13 will feature a mock examination.

Visits to galleries and museums are an essential part of the course.

How is A Level Art and Photography assessed/examined?

Coursework (Component 1 Personal investigation)

This is a practical investigation supported by written material. Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation.

The Personal Investigation includes a supporting essay of 1000-3000 words which must link to the individual study subject matter. It must be a critical essay with contextual links and must use appropriate specialist vocabulary. It should be typed with accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar so that the meaning is clear, and include a bibliography.

Exam (Component 2 Externally set assignment)

The examination period begins in February of year 13 where students will select 1 of 8 questions provided by the exam board.

Students will have 8 weeks to produce a project of preparatory work, followed by 15 hours of unaided, supervised time. In the exam students will produce a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes, informed by their preparatory work.

In both coursework and exam components, work will be assessed against four assessment objectives as follows:

Assessment Objective 1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

Assessment Objective 2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

Assessment Objective 3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

Assessment Objective 4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

Students’ work will be internally assessed by teachers in the Art department. A sample will then be selected by the exam board which will be assessed by an external moderator.

A Level Art

In Art we start year 12 with a series of workshops covering a wide range of disciplines, which allow for creative experimentation with varied techniques and processes. The workshops can be completed in or out of a sketchbook and are a way to explore media, developing confidence and initial ideas before embarking on their Personal Investigation.

Coursework is divided in to 4 projects.

Project 1: Drawing, painting, and printing based workshops (9 weeks).

Project 2: Sculpture, photography, and mixed media based workshops (9 weeks).

Project 3: Personal Investigation: Individual project where you choose your own title and investigate, explore, record, and present your own creative and original responses (1 year).

Project 4/Essay: 1000-3000 words to support your Personal Investigation.

Examination: Choice of 8 titles provided by the exam board in February of year 13. Exam prep followed by 15 hours of supervised work.

A Level Photography

In Photography we start year 12 with a series of workshops covering a wide range of disciplines, which allow for creative experimentation with varied techniques and processes. Technical aspects of Photography will be included, such as rules of composition, aperture, shutter speed, and lighting. The workshops can be completed in or out of a sketchbook and are a way to explore subject matter, developing confidence and initial ideas before embarking on their Personal Investigation.

Coursework is divided in to 4 projects.

Project 1: Still-life, landscape, and portraiture based workshops (9 weeks).

Project 2: Darkroom techniques, Photoshop and mixed media based workshops (9 weeks).

Project 3: Personal Investigation: Individual project where you choose your own title and investigate, explore, record, and present your own creative and original responses (1 year).

Project 4/Essay: 1000-3000 words to support your Personal Investigation.

Examination: Choice of 8 titles provided by the exam board in February of year 13. Exam prep followed by 15 hours of supervised work.