Art

What is the exam board and route? 

A Level Art, Craft and Design OCR (H600) or Fine Art OCR (H601) 

It may also be possible to study AS Art, Craft and Design (H200) or Fine Art (H201) as a fourth option, subject to timetabling.

Subject outline 

60% of A Level Art – Personal Investigation: Practical portfolio on a self-selected theme and related written study. (September Year 12 – January Year 13) 

40% of A Level – Externally Set Task: Practical portfolio on a theme selected from the exam board’s Task Paper. (February Year 13 – May Year 13) 

Examples of A Level Art

How is the course assessed? 

There are no written exams for Art. A 15-hour controlled task concludes the Externally Set Task in May. This is usually completed during three consecutive days before study leave begins. 

Why study this subject? 

Studying Art and Design brings balance to other A Levels, providing the mental and physical space for creative exploration, innovation, independent working and academic research. All A Level artists receive their own materials and unlimited access to their own studio space, which facilitates the production of large, ambitious work. Experienced staff support boys in their discipline of choice, which might be digital, traditional painting and drawing, film, printmaking, 3D or any other specialism. Boys direct their own study with personal choices regarding starting points, artists and influences, making this an entirely personalised course. This subject is essential for any boys wanting to pursue an Art-related career; a creative portfolio is also a requirement for most Undergraduate routes for Architecture. 

Complementary subjects 

Art compliments a whole range of subjects because it requires a completely different way of thinking, learning and working. Boys can combine Art with Maths, Languages, Humanities, Sciences and any post-16 subjects of choice. 

Possible careers 

Graphic Design, Illustration, Curator, Designer, Interior Design, Automobile design, Animation, Film maker, Set design, Art dealer, Educator, Photographer, Web design, Architecture, Professional Artist, Art therapy, Gaming design. 

Subject enrichment available 

• Use of own studio space 
• Gallery visits – London, Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough 
• Visiting artists and workshops 
• Life drawing 
• Exhibitions – (School, Oberon, Tate Modern, Saatchi, New Walk Leicester, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Royal Academy of Arts Summer exhibition) 
• National competitions  
• Increased ambition in the style and standard of work 
• Subject prefect roles 
• Sixth Form Art scholarships 
• Gold Arts Award 

Inspiration exists, but it must find you working
Pablo Picasso

Artwork by Alex H, Year 12