Art, Craft & Design

5 GCSE grades 9- 4 with a grade 5 or above in GCSE Art and Design.

Students must also have a genuine interest in visual arts and other cultures, enthusiasm, determination, initiative and an ability to work independently.

Students who have a GCSE grade 4 or above in Design and Technology will have an additional advantage.

Students are required to complete two units of coursework over the two-year period. Students are taught to understand the fundamentals of Art: developing concepts, planning formats, compositions, exploring techniques, experimenting with media and realising intentions.

Unit 1: (60% of A Level), students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome. Practical elements will make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words which support the practical work.

Unit 2: students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes which will be created in a 15 hour exam.

Regular assessment is provided in both written and verbal form through teacher, self and peer feedback which informs progress and ensures that pupils know how to achieve the highest standard. The entire A level course consists of two units, unit 1 being 60% and unit 2 being 40% of the final assessment.

Each unit requires the submission of a sketchbook, online blog and portfolio which will contain evidence of primary research and analysis, exploration of media, sustained idea development and visual and written annotation.  During the completion of unit 1, students are expected to provide a 1000-3000-word written response.  At the end of unit 2, students create a final response during a 15-hour examination period.

The work is internally marked and externally moderated.

Unit 1: ‘Personal Investigation’ = 60% of A Level

Unit 2: ‘Externally Set Assignment’ + 15-hour exam = 40% of A Level

The Art department at Samuel Ryder is well equipped with two large Art studios, two full-time specialist teachers and a dedicated Art technician, built-in dark room and an impressive central atrium area for showcasing student work all year round. We annually run our end-of-year A Level Art exhibition and in January our school proudly host the Herts ‘Schools Exhibition’.

Students are expected to work continuously and independently on their artwork, at home and in the classroom, during free periods, lunchtimes and after school.  A minimum of 3 hours’ independent study is expected per week. Students should also independently visit galleries, museums and exhibitions to stay up to date with critical studies. Access libraries, television programmes and current affairs to develop a general understanding of Art related issues.

Graphic Design, Web Design, Animation, Architecture, Interior Design, Museum/Gallery work, Product Design, Teaching, Art Therapy, Game Design.

An application form can be obtained from the Head of Sixth From h.potter@samuelryderacademy.co.uk . Once your application has been processed you will be invited to discuss your subject choices with the Head of Sixth Form.