KS5 Art Courses Offered by Longdean School

Fine Art AS/A2

The A2 is split into two parts the first year is called AS and is a qualification in itself. If you continue on to the second year (as most people do) your mark is carried forward and counts as 50% of your overall mark.

AS-Year One

This is split into two units (Unit 1 and Unit 2), the course work and the externally set timed test. You will spend time in class furthering your skills using various media in a workshop type environment. As with GCSE and BTEC you will work in your sketchbooks developing your ideas and making links between your own body of work and your research about other contemporary and traditional artists. To help with this aspect of the course we also visit galleries and work with local artists..

The second unit is a timed test which is given to you in advance of the 8 hour practical exam. Leading up to the exam you will work with your teacher to develop your ideas around the title, which is often just one word.

A2-Year Two

This year is also split into two units (Unit 3 and Unit 4), the first part is coursework again but is slightly different to the AS as it is split into two parts. The first part is a written investigation into a theme, movement and/or artist of your choice. The second part is your practical work which should demonstrate your skills and can be based on any subject you want, or a continuation of your AS work. There will also be more opportunities to visit galleries and work with artists. There must be a link between your practical and written theme.

The last unit is your exam, again given to you in advance and lasting twelve hours. During the twelve hours you will complete a sustained piece of work.

Graphic Design AS/A2

This course is structured in exactly the same way as the previous Fine art course. The difference is that you would be working to a design brief and meeting the various requirements of it. The critical element for a graphic designer is the successful communication of a message through the organisation of words and images. This means that you will be working on designing posters, magazines, packaging, websites, editorial lay outs and other 2D and 3D products.

As well as using traditional artistic methods you will also be taught about and expected to use digital photography and photo manipulation computer programs.

Both of these courses could give you the opportunity to develop a career in Graphic design, Fine art, Textiles, Photography, Advertising, Animation, Ceramics, Fashion, Illustration, Film, Computer Graphics, Product design to name a few!

Recent art produced by Longdean School students can be viewed on our home page www.kids101-art.co.uk

(This and external website which Longdean School has no control over the content)