Art, Craft & Design

In Short

A Level Art and Design specifications offer a range of titles and specialisms that:  Enable students to develop a wide range of skills and techniques, together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Art, Craft and Design. Embrace the current and emerging technologies including animation and games design, moving image and 3D digital design, as well as the traditional routes of art, craft and design such as drawing, painting and sculpture.

Our new Art and Design specifications offer a range of titles and specialisms that enable students to develop a wide range of skills and techniques, together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of art, craft and design. To enable and encourage students at all levels to achieve highly in their chosen areas of study, we have highlighted key areas of study. Students are free to use either traditional methods for visual and written communication of ideas or the latest technologies and software packages as required. During this course, students will develop their capacity for independent working and, if required, team skills through collaboration with others.

So what are the benefits of the specifications?

They provide the ideal structure for those students who wish to pursue Art and Design at degree level or as a career. Portfolio assessment has been retained as the best method to assess practical skills.

For A Level, there are two components: Personal investigation with a related study (60%), and an externally set task with an early release question paper (40%) structured around the skills, knowledge and understanding developed throughout the course of study.

Students are free to use digital and/or traditional media throughout their course of study. All title/specialisms have related areas of study to choose from and combine as required. These allow students to:

• Explore, research and acquire techniques to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in a range of media – Use traditional methods and/or digital techniques to produce work
• Explore relevant images, artefacts and resources
• Develop chosen themes, ideas or issues to support their skills, knowledge and understanding
• Record through drawing or other media

100% pass rate in A Level Art, Craft & Design in 2020 – 1.4% above National Average