Art Year12 & 13

AS & A Level Art AQA 2200

The A Level course supports a breadth and depth of study that builds on the skills of the GCSE course.  It is an excellent preparation for students wishing to progress to Art College or to engage in careers involving the visual arts, with new technology involved where appropriate.

Analysing the work of artists and their own work in a contemporary, historical and cultural context is an essential part of the course.

Students will be assessed on 2 units at AS and 2 units at A2 - in each case 1 is coursework and 1 is examined (AS - 5 hours and A2 - 15 hours).  Marks are awarded by a thorough and transparent moderation process.

Aims of the course
This course aims to encourage students to develop:

• intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers;
• investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgment;
• independence of mind in relation to developing own ideas, refining own intentions and personal outcomes;
  an interest in, enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of art, craft and design;
• the experience of working with a broad range of media, including traditional and new media and technologies;
• an understanding of the inter-relationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate;
• experience of working within relevant and real frameworks and, where appropriate, make links to the creative     industries;
• knowledge, understanding and application of art, craft, design, media (traditional and new) and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures;
• an awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art, craft and design practice.

Entry requirements
Although no prior knowledge of the subject is required, students will find it difficult to follow the course if they have not studied GCSE Art and Design as the qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed at that level.  It is recommended that students have attained communication and literacy skills at a level equivalent to GCSE Grade C in English.

AS Units - Year 12
At AS, candidates should be introduced to a variety of experiences, employing a range of media, processes and techniques appropriate to the chosen area of study.

UNIT 1:  Portfolio (80 marks) - 50% of AS marks (25% of total A Level marks)
Candidates choose one of the endorsements for study throughout AS.  The contents of the Portfolio will be determined by the nature of the course of study.
Candidates should produce a collection of materials which exemplifies work carried out during the AS course.
All the work produced for this unit will be marked as a whole.

Portfolio subject content
Candidates should submit:
A selection of thoughtfully presented work that demonstrates the depth and breadth of the course.
At least one extended collection of work or project based on an idea, concept, theme or issue.
Portfolio work should include 1 completed project.

UNIT 2:  Externally Set Assignment (80 marks) - 50% of AS marks (25% of  A Level marks) 
Candidates select one of five starting points.
The externally set assignment will last from 1st February until the deadline for receipt of marks.
Supervised time:  5 hours.
All the work produced for this unit will be marked as a whole.
Internally marked and moderated by OCR.

Subject content
Candidates may work in any appropriate form.
Candidates may produce preparatory work and finished piece(s) or wholly developmental work.

A2 Units - Year 13
At A2, candidates are required to build upon the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in the AS with greater depth of study.

UNIT 3:  Personal Investigation; Coursework (80 marks) - 25% of total A Level marks
A personal investigation in which candidates develop work in response to an idea, issue, concept or theme of their choosing.
Candidates are required to develop a personal investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme supported by 1000-3000 words.
All the work produced for this unit will be marked as a whole.

UNIT 4:  Externally Set Assignment (80 marks) - 25% of total A Level marks
Assignment issued to candidates on 1st February.
Supervised time:  15 hours.
All the work produced for this unit will be marked as a whole.

Scheme of Assessment
The AS GCE forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full Advanced GCE.  AS GCE is assessed at a standard between GCSE and Advanced GCE and can be taken as a stand alone qualification or as the first half of the full Advanced GCE course

Click here to see AQA Art & Design Guide to Qualifications Leaflet 2011/12
For further information, visit the AQA website

To see examples of GCSE & A-Level Artwork Autumn 2011 - click here
To see examples of GCSE & A-Level Artwork Spring 2011 - Click here

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