Course overview

The A-Level Art, Craft and Design course at The Purbeck School is a dynamic and creative course that encourages you to explore a broad range of artistic disciplines while developing your individual style and visual language. The course nurtures creativity, independence, and critical thinking through hands-on experimentation and thoughtful analysis.

Year 12

The first year of the course will provide opportunities for you to explore, investigate and produce work across areas such as fine art, photography, 3D design, and graphic communication.  You will be encouraged to take an explorative and personal approach, engaging with historical and contemporary contexts and responding to the world around you.

Year 13

Towards the end of Year 12 and leading into year 13, you will begin the Personal Investigation Project. This unit is an opportunity for you to carry out your own research into an area of study of your choice, such as fine art, photography, 3D design, and graphic communication. This unit also involves the production of a written submission of between 1000 and 3000 words that clarifies the theme of the investigation, demonstrates your critical and contextual understanding of your chosen topic and records the conclusions to your enquiry. The course ends with Component 2: Externally Set Assignment, a 15-hour practical exam (conducted over 3 school days) that you will prepare for over a number of weeks.

Your final grade is based on your coursework (usually based upon the portfolio produced in year 2), which is worth 60%, and the externally set assignment (15-hour exam), which is worth 40% of the overall grade.

Where the course leads

This subject equips students with a wide range of creative, practical, and analytical skills, making it an excellent foundation for further study in art and design, as well as careers in the creative industries. It complements a variety of other subjects and is ideal for students with imagination, self-motivation, and a passion for visual communication.

The government estimates that creative industries generated £126bn in gross value added to the economy and employed 2.4 million people in 2022 (House of Lords Library). Many of our students progress onto a Foundation Course at the Arts University Bournemouth before studying a visual arts degree.

The portfolio produced during Years 12 and 13 will highlight your skills and show Higher Education providers that you are adept at many different making and presentation processes.

Should you choose to take a different route for Post-18, there are opportunities to gain apprenticeships with local artists, studios or galleries. You can continue to develop your skills after leaving school and your ability to reflect, be critical, share your opinions and generate ideas will help you in any industry of your choice.

Entry requirements

To study A-Level Art, craft and design, you must have achieved a grade 5 in a Visual Arts subject and/or have a strong portfolio of work demonstrating a commitment to and interest in the visual arts. A basic understanding of the application of formal elements and some previous experience/practice is desirable. Students must seek further advice from the specialist staff before enroling and be interviewed prior to being accepted on the course.

For further advice, contact: Mrs L. Field (Head of Art and Photography)