You will explore art and design as a creative medium, producing artwork in a wide range of materials and applying a variety of techniques and processes.

Key areas include:

• Developing ideas through research into art, craft, and designers in both historical and contemporary contexts
• Experimenting and developing ideas using paint, printmaking, oil pastels, pens, pencil crayons, or any other materials you choose. You can work in 2D or 3D, explore photography, work digitally, and even incorporate fabrics into your outcomes.
• Recording observations and developing ideas in sketchbooks or digital formats with annotations, including mood boards and photographs.
• Realising personal intentions through final outcomes such as paintings, sculptures, canvas work, mixed‑media pieces, photographs, pencil‑crayon studies - the list is endless and should reflect your creativity.

100% non-exam assessment (coursework and externally set assignment; no written exams):

• Component 1: Portfolio - 96 marks, 60% – A sustained personal project showing the journey from initial ideas to final realisation, plus further work completed during the course. Internally assessed and externally moderated by AQA.
• Component 2: Externally set assignment - 96 marks, 40% – Respond to one starting point from the AQA exam paper, followed by a preparatory period and 10 hours of supervised time to produce final outcomes. Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Both components address four equal assessment objectives: developing ideas (AO1), experimenting and refining (AO2), recording (AO3), and presenting a personal response (AO4). Work is graded 9–1 based on practical portfolios, sketchbooks, and final pieces.

AS/A Level Art & Design, vocational courses such as BTEC or Diploma programmes in creative subjects, or university study in art‑related fields.

• Theatre Lighting Technician
• Trainee Technical Graphic Design Assistant
• Florist
• Garden Designer
• Beauty Therapist
• Chef
• Broader creative industry roles in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Media, Photography, and Performing Arts
• The skills gained also support general employment by demonstrating independence, self‑motivation, research, analysis, and presentation abilities.

The course allows you to work in ways that match your interests, with some projects tailored to individual preferences. It is an open‑ended programme where you can incorporate your own ideas and express your creativity. Teachers are subject specialists with practical backgrounds, passionate about helping students grow in skill and confidence.

Highly useful, as many employers value the ability to self‑motivate, research, analyse, and present information effectively. It fosters creativity and problem‑solving skills that are attractive across various industries, showing that you can generate and execute ideas independently. The practical artistic skills apply directly to creative professions and enhance everyday problem‑solving, design thinking, and visual communication.