Ratcliffe College - Sixth Form Handbook

ART AND DESIGN
Higher Education and Careers
Options
ART & DESIGN
Why choose Art & Design?
The department is highly flexible
in accommodating students’
creativity and is driven by the
desire to push a student’s potential
as far as is possible.
• Almost no restrictions on media choice.
• Actively encouraged to think for yourself
and produce work that is challenging,
personal and intellectually demanding.
• Develop your visual awareness and build
increasing confidence in your drawing
and observational skills.
• Explore a wide a range of techniques
such as Drawing, Photography, Filmmaking,
Animation, Painting,
• Printmaking, Sculpture Mixed-media,
and Textiles.
Related Subjects
Art & Design compliments many
other option choices at A Level, but
is not restricted to other creative
subjects. Each year we have
students who study a varied range
of subjects, and whilst a known
degree route may sway choices
in a particular direction, such as
Architecture where Art, Maths and
Physics may be a good selection,
there are no right or wrong choices
to be made.
Course Requirements
A potential A Level Art student
should primarily have a genuine
interest in the subject. We
require at least a grade B for Art
as well as English GCSE due to the
demands within the A Level for
coherent written annotation and
a 3000 word essay in Year 13. An
equivalent creative subject such as
Design Technology would also be
suitable if Art has not been studied.
Further Important Information
Within the department, we provide
two dedicated A Level studios
for the students to work in, one
for each of the Sixth Form years.
A Level Art students are given
their own working space in these
rooms, and are expected to spend
a reasonable amount of their free
study periods in the Department,
developing their work. A Level Art
is a challenging option, but also an
extremely rewarding one. Students
should be prepared to work hard to
develop their abilities.
Traditionally your path would
be an Art Foundation Course
followed by a specialised degree.
As a department we would always
encourage this route as it allows
the individual to continue to
develop and be certain of their
direction.
The UK has an excellent
international reputation for its
creative industries and the staff
in the Art & Design Department
are well qualified to give guidance
in this matter. We work closely
with each prospective Foundation
or Degree student to hone their
application, their portfolio and
their reference from the School.
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