Welcome to A Level Fine Art

A Level Fine Art at our school is designed for motivated students who are passionate about creativity and can work independently. The course is ideal for those planning to study visual arts in higher education, as well as for students seeking to develop lifelong skills in creative thinking, problem-solving, and artistic expression.

The course encourages students to challenge their creative and cultural expectations. It is an engaging and thought-provoking programme where students develop technical proficiency, confidence as art-makers, and critical thinking skills. Alongside creating their own artwork, students explore and reflect on artists, movements, and contemporary practices across different media and contexts.

All students create a personal investigation, developing a body of work based on a theme or idea of their choice. This includes practical experimentation, research, and reflective writing to demonstrate how your artistic intentions guide your creative process.

• Assessment: 60% of final grade

• Students are assessed on investigation, development, refinement, and final outcomes, showing originality, technical skill, and critical understanding.

In the ESA, students respond to a theme set by the exam board. This includes preparatory studies, experimentation, and a final piece produced under timed conditions. The ESA tests creativity, independence, and the ability to create a resolved artwork within a structured timeframe.

• Assessment: 40% of final grade

• Students are marked on their ability to explore ideas, develop concepts, and create final outcomes, demonstrating personal style and technical confidence.

Throughout the course, students engage with drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media, alongside contextual studies of artists, movements, and contemporary practice. This helps students make informed artistic decisions and link their work to wider cultural and artistic contexts.

Students are assessed against four objectives:

1. Develop

2. Refine 

3. Record 

4. Present 

These objectives ensure students grow as independent, thoughtful artists while providing clear guidance for assessment.

• Printmaking (mono, gelli plate, etc).

• Drawing (pencil, charcoal, pastel,s etc).

• Painting (watercolours, acrylic, etc).

• Sculpture (clay, paper mache, mod roc).

• Photography (Digital, composition, etc.).

A Level Fine Art prepares students for higher education in art and design, while also developing skills highly valued in many creative and professional fields. Careers include graphic design, architecture, fashion, animation, media, marketing, and education, where creativity, problem-solving, visual communication, and critical thinking are key.