Art

EdExcel

Art is a popular and successful subject at Paston which encourages you to develop your own sense of artistic identity by providing you with sound practical skills alongside good research methods. You build upon the skills you bring with you and develop new skills through the process of research and experimentation.

Ofsted inspectors were impressed by the “confident and expressive nature of students’ practical work”. Our Art teachers are all practising artists who exhibit regularly but you will also do workshops with other practising artists as well as visit their studios. At the end of the course you exhibit your work in the Paston Art Show in a professional gallery setting. You will also have opportunities to go on study visits. Recent destinations have included Amsterdam, Barcelona and Paris.

Many students each year go straight on to university or art school to continue their study of art. Students who wish to continue their studies locally can do so via the Progression Accord which Paston has with the Norwich University College of the Arts.

AS Art

In the AS Art course you will study:
• The importance of mark making and how to use line effectively.
• How to keep a work journal (sketchbook) and develop ideas.
• How to analyse a piece of artwork.

The course explores painting, printmaking, sculpture and experimental image making, using non-art materials. You will be taught a number of core skills including life drawing as well as having opportunities to develop your own areas of interest.

Assessment

Coursework: research and images in your work journal/sketchbook and a resolved ‘final’ piece
One 8 hour examination: a resolved piece completed under examination conditions.

Entry requirements

A minimum of BBCCC at GCSE including English/English Language, Art, and Mathematics or a Science.

A2 Art

In A2 Art you will build upon the skills and knowledge gained from the AS course to:
• Develop your personal visual language through independent study and tutorials.
• Research an aspect of Art of your choice, for example last year a student researched links between Goya and the film ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’.• Develop a portfolio of work for display in Paston Art Show – your end of year exhibition – and for use in interviews to university or art college.

Assessment

Coursework: research, practical work and 1,000 word essay. One 12 hour examination leading to a resolved piece done under exam conditions.