Fine Art and Art Textiles
in the sixth form
Sixth form students will be independent in their learning, choosing their own direction and motivating themselves to produce outstanding work.

Having selected a starting point from a range of themes, students will initiate their own development and progress, taking their ideas wherever they want them to go and supporting that evolution with experimentation and research. Students must be willing to experiment with a wide variety of media and open their minds to new possibilities in how their choice of media can influence and contribute to their work.

Sketchbooks provide the space to experiment, record and develop ideas and to document research. Relevant research must be undertaken to inform the students’ work and to add context to it. Examples would be; looking at artists, or artistic movements relevant to the direction of the work; considering political, cultural and other areas that influence and inform the work in-hand. Students must ensure that these critical studies make relevant connections with their own work.

The key stages of self-initiated work, experimentation and research provide the basis for students to realise their intentions within a final body of work. Students are expected to be ambitious and approach their subject with great enthusiasm!

Assessment
Work will be assessed via coursework, through a series of units and finally with a controlled test. The AS examination takes place in year 12, the A2 examination in year 13. A pass of grade C or above at AS level is essential for those wishing to follow the course at A2 level.

Enrichment activities
Students are encouraged to visit art galleries and museums, and to look at art and its place in the world around them. Where such opportunities exist the school will arrange visits to exhibitions and similar arts based events. Students are also encouraged to pursue independent study visits to exhibitions to enhance their learning.

Beyond the sixth form
Qualifications in art will be essential for students seeking a foundation course placement at art college, or university, as a first step toward an arts based degree. This will allow students to consider further education and employment in areas such as: fine art, illustration, graphic design, product design, film and TV, web design, film and theatre set design, architecture, fashion, interior design and other art based disciplines.