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Art and Photography

Introduction

The Art and Photography departments are located on the ground and first floor of the main building. They consist of 4 well equipped classrooms which are all inclusive of an interactive whiteboard, as well as a photographic darkroom, a suite of computers with Adobe Creative Suite and a pottery kiln.

The rooms and corridors display and showcase an array of student work from all year groups.  At the end of each year, Art, Photography hold an exhibition to celebrate students achievements and creative abilities. Students are proud to have the opportunity of inviting their teachers, friends and family to attend a private view of the work.

The department offers after school clubs on most weekdays as well as providing open rooms for students to develop their work independently most lunchtimes and during free periods.

The department regularly runs trips to London to allow students to access the wealth of galleries and museums on offer.

Art and Design

Why study Art and Design?

Do you enjoy creating, making and problem solving creatively? An A Level qualification within the creative arts provides an opportunity to pursue a career within the second highest employer/industry within the UK.

Course description

This is an enlightening and challenging course leading to A Level qualification in Art and Design. We offer you the opportunity to discover what type of artist you are, through diverse and innovative approaches that cover multiple disciplines within Fine Art: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Etching, Printing, Photoshop and Sculpture.

How will I be assessed?

Learners will complete a series of core professional and specialist units delivered through an internally designed brief. Assessment is carried out according to unit specifications, which include well-presented practical work supported by written annotations, artist analysis, blogs and/or group/peer presentations. Final assessment is carried out by the teacher and by an external examiner.

What independent study will I have to do?

You are expected to support your studio practice with up to 5 hours of independent study each week. This includes extending work, researching artist or designers, visiting galleries and contemporary exhibitions, artist blogs, reading magazines and journals.

Who is suitable to study this course?

This course is suitable for all independent learners wishing to develop and deepen their creative making and thinking skills.

What other courses complement Art and Design?

This course will support all learners wishing to develop their creative thinking skills and practical problem solving skill set alongside their academic studies. This course can be combined with Photography and Textiles or could be combined with other courses to suit each learner’s aspirations for university and career.

What are the options post-18 and what are the career pathways if you study this course?

The A Level provides excellent opportunities for progression into the workplace, internships and apprenticeships or to continue further or higher Foundation and Degree courses.


This course has been designed to allow ultimate flexibility for each learner. It can be used as a research tool for academic pathways such as Art History, Psychology, Philosophy and Art Therapy. It could also be used to build a portfolio to enter into the Creative Industries such as Film, Animation, Media, Fashion, Graphic Design, Photography, Product Design, Illustration and Animation, Set Design and Special Effects. It can also be used to build a more traditional Fine Art portfolio ready to pursue a career as an Artist.


We pride ourselves on our 100% pass rate with all learners who pursued a creative pathway securing places on Foundation or Degree courses. Our alumni have studied at the most prestigious Art institutions in London (Goldsmiths, London College of Fashion, Chelsea Collage of Art, LLC) as pursued art related studies at Russell Group universities such as Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

Photography

Why study Art Photography?

Do you enjoy creating, making and problem solving creatively? An A Level qualification within the creative arts provides an opportunity to pursue a career within the second highest employer/industry within the UK.

Course description

This is a stimulating and captivating photography course leading to an A Level qualification in Photography. Every aspect of photography is covered from using a camera, studio, darkroom and digital darkroom through to looking at the work of other photographers and how to present a professional portfolio including both and digital portfolio and a blog.

How will I be assessed?

Learners will complete a series of core professional and specialist units delivered through an internally designed brief. Assessment is carried out according to unit specifications, which include well presented practical work supported by written annotations, artist analysis, blogs and/or group/peer presentations. Final assessment is carried out by the teacher and by an external examiner.

What independent study will I have to do?

You are expected to support your studio practice with up to 5 hours of independent study each week. This includes extending work, researching artist or designers, visiting galleries and contemporary exhibitions, artist blogs, reading magazines and journals.

Who is suitable to study this course?

This course is suitable for all independent learners wishing to develop and deepen their creative making and thinking skills.

What other courses complement Art Photography?

This course will support all learners wishing to develop their creative thinking skills and practical problem solving skill set along side their academic studies. This course can be combined with Art and Design and Textiles or could be combined with other courses to suit each learner’s aspirations for university and career.

What are the options post-18 and what are the career pathways if you study this course?

The A Level provides excellent opportunities for progression into the workplace, internships and apprenticeships or to continue further or higher Foundation and Degree courses.

This course has been designed to allow ultimate flexibility for each learner. It can be used as a research tool for academic pathways such as Art History, Psychology, Philosophy and Art Therapy. It could also be used to build a portfolio to enter into the Creative Industries such as Film, Animation, Media, Fashion, Graphic Design, Photography, Product Design, Illustration and Animation, Set Design and Special Effects. It can also be used to build a more traditional Fine Art portfolio ready to pursue a career as an Artist.

We pride ourselves on our 100% pass rate with all learners who pursued a creative pathway securing places on Foundation or Degree courses. Our alumni have studied at the most prestigious Art institutions in London (Goldsmiths, London College of Fashion, Chelsea Collage of Art, LLC) as pursued art related studies at Russell Group universities such as Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

A Level Results 2023

Congratulations to our Year 13 students on achieving

85.7% Grades A*-C in Art & Design

60% Grades A*-C in Photography