A Level: Art, Craft and Design

This is a broad-based course that provides flexibility in content and approach. Students opting for Art, Craft and Design explore practical and critical/contextual work through a range of 2D and/or 3D processes and media throughout the earlier stages of their personal investigation and must include evidence of working with processes and media associated with more than one title in their submission. The final resolution of their exploratory work can either be selected from 2D and/or 3D processes and media associated with a single endorsed title or a combination of disciplines from more than one endorsed title. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of materials, their properties and a range of manufacturing processes through sustained workshop practices. Develop designing skills and ideas for functional products which consider the user within a critical framework.

Students will start by building skills across 2D and 3D techniques in a range of skill building workshops and projects, such as Fine Art drawing and painting, jewellery design, Architecture, CAD, Textiles, Printmaking etc.. There is no requirement for students to have previous workshop knowledge as this will be built into the delivery of the course.

The course is split into two components, which are assessed against the EDUQAS GCE Art & Design specification. Component 1 (personal Investigation) is 60% of the overall grade this includes a compulsory written element of 1000-3000 words which can be presented in a variety of formats., with component 2 (Externally set assignment, commonly referred to as the ‘Exam project’) accounting to 40%. Component 2 is completed with a 15 hour controlled assessment.

Students will be required to have grade 5 in an Art and Design subject at GCSE not including Engineering, Construction or Hospitality and Catering.

The successful completion of this qualification can lead to a career in the following areas: Foundation Art and Design, Architecture, Product Design, Interior Design, and other creative and design pathways.