Art & Design

Head of Department

Mr A Burton BA (Hons), PGCE

Statement of Intent

The aim of the Art Department is to provide a stimulating broad-based curriculum, providing a wide range of experiences, materials and tools in which students tackle projects which are both challenging and build on previous key skills and knowledge.

We encourage students to value work produced to deepen understanding of art and creativity. Students evaluate both verbally and in written research of artists, art movements and other cultures. Our dedicated Art team holds particular expertise in painting, printmaking, illustration, ceramics and sculpture.

The Art department is often a hive of activity at lunchtime as we offer extra provision to all art students.

A Level Course Outline

A Level Fine Art is a unique opportunity that offers students a wide range of skills and a chance to broaden their knowledge of Art and Artists. The course aims to develop students who are visually aware and accomplished in their artwork.

Students are required to develop skills and techniques which will enable them in due time to explore in their own work various art forms including portraiture, the human form, representational art, semi abstraction and abstraction. Alongside the practical work students will be encouraged to look into the history of art, to research, develop and refine ideas and concepts within art history.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

On successful completion of the A level, some students will apply for a 1 year Art Foundation Course. There are also degrees in Art & Design that offer built-in Foundation courses over four years.

Students have had success with direct entry through UCAS onto Art and Art Combined subjects at degree level such as Architecture, Fine Art, Illustration, Art History, History and Art History, 3D Spatial Design, plus many others.

Course Content

Examination Board	OCR	Full details of the specification and assessment criteria can be found on the OCR website Art and Design - H200, H600
AS Level	Unit 1	Externally Set Assignment 10 hours – 100%
The A Level course has one distinct project on the themes of “The Human Figure”
A Level	Unit 1	Personal Investigation (inc 1000 - 5000 word written report) – 60%
	Unit 2	Externally Set Assignment 15 hours – 40%
The Personal Investigations are a portfolio of work that an individual student creates and has clear links to Art and Art History. Fine Art allows students to develop subject area knowledge in Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Alternate Media and Lens Based Imagery.

Curriculum Programmes of Study

Year	Cycle	Content
Year 12	Cycle 1	Investigation into what makes a painting. Students research artists and art movements developing skills, techniques and ideas throughout this process. Exploring a range of mark making skills, using a variety of tools including large paint brushes, household paint brushes, palette knives, rollers, and homemade brushes with extended handles.
	Cycle 2	Students continue to research artists and art movements, developing skills, techniques and ideas throughout this process. Exploring a range of mark making skills, using a variety of tools including large paint brushes, household paint brushes, palette knives, rollers, and homemade brushers with extended handles. Additionally, students undertake a personal investigation, delving into an area of art that captivates their interest, with the intention of further developing their skills through individual studio practice.
	Cycle 3	Complete Personal investigation. Students are now developing their own studio practice investigating an area of art of their own choice. Studio practice will take place alongside home learning, and include artist research, photo shoots, editing skills, developing pages and self-evaluation.
Year 13	Cycle 1	Students continue to develop their own studio practice, investigating another area of art of their own choice. Studio practice will take place alongside home learning, which will include artist research, photo shoots, editing skills, developing pages and self-evaluation.
	Cycle 2	Exam papers are given. Students develop a body of work that relates to one of the exam questions. Studio practice will take place alongside home learning, which will include artist research, photo shoots, editing skills, developing pages and self-evaluation.
	Cycle 3	Students conclude their exam by creating a comprehensive body of work that corresponds to one of the exam questions. This involves a combination of studio practice and home learning activities. The home learning component includes conducting research on various artists, organising and executing photo shoots, refining editing skills, creating and refining pages, as well as engaging in self-evaluation to assess progress and improve the overall quality of the work.

Devonport High School For Girls